Evidence of meeting #63 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was changes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
If I misunderstood, I apologize. I'm sorry, but that's what I heard.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
If someone wants to make a point in response to a point of order, they'll be recognized by the chair. I would ask that you speak through the chair and not to each other.
Is there anyone else who'd like to address the point of order?
Mr. Brison.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
I think it's a question of pertinence and whether or not Mr. Adler's questions have anything to do with the matter at hand and Bill C-38. I'm having trouble finding the relevance with his line of questioning.
Conservative
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I believe in this very session, Ms. Nash—and I was taken aback, Chair, by the questioning—asked the very same question of Mr. Oakey, specifically whether the funding of his organization was available and transparent for everyone to see. At that point I said nothing because I've become accustomed to that kind of unfortunate partisanship. In any event, the exact same question was posed by Ms. Nash who has now brought a point of order against a member on this side. I would say it's probably out of order, given that the first time there was no issue taken with it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay, I'm ready to rule, but I have Mr. Marston on this point just briefly.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
The difference to me was when he was asked what the witness earned. That's what I understood.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Order, order. If members want to make that point, they can make it through the chair.
Mr. Marston.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
I'll reference it in this fashion. I may be mistaken, but that's what I believe I heard; and if that was the case, I think that's an inappropriate question. That's why it's a point of order.
Conservative
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
That was not the question. I would encourage you to go back and read the transcript.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Just to try to create some peace and compromise here, may I suggest that both Ms. Nash's line of questioning with Mr. Oakey and Mr. Adler's line of questioning with Mr. Linton were irrelevant to Bill C-38. Perhaps we can move on to focus on Bill C-38. I consider both of their lines of questioning in terms of the individuals as probably irrelevant.
Of course, as a Liberal, I'm trying to make peace—
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
—between the left and the right, between the Tea Partiers and the Occupiers and the.... There will be “peace in our time”.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay. I'll rule on this one. As members know, both in the House and the committee they have wide latitude in terms of relevance. That's the way that Speakers have always applied that rule.
I did allow Ms. Nash's questions, even though I felt they were slightly beyond the scope of what we're discussing today or the bill. That's also why I allowed Mr. Adler's question. I heard his question in terms of what the organization made, and Mr. Adler did confirm that. That's why I allowed the question. So I'm not ruling that a point of order.
Mr. Hoback, you have a point of order on a different matter?
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Yes, on a different matter, Chair, I'm looking at the time right now. I'm curious as to whether you have an idea of the length of this meeting and how long we're going to go. The last news I had was that it as supposed to end at 12:30.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
You're absolutely correct, Mr. Hoback. We were supposed to end at 12:30.
I do have five members who want to ask questions. Members and witnesses may have other duties. Those members who do wish to stay could stay, but there will be no motions entertained whatsoever by the chair, so that members will be free to go to another meeting. Or, if it's not the will of the committee, then obviously we'd have to end now.
On this point of order, Ms. Glover.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I appreciate your recommendation, Chair. I'd be happy to stay until at least 1 o'clock and then of course QP prep will occur.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
That's given that there will be no motions by any member of the committee.