Finance Committee on Oct. 8th, 2020

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

The amendments...?

[The Clerk]

Yes, the amendments.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Could you get that to members as soon as possible.

Is that it for your point of order, Mr. Fragiskatos?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

That answers the question I had. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

The amendment is on the first line, at least in the English text. The amendment would go in after “provided that”.

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

When will the committee receive the documents, if this motion is passed, in their digital binders? Will committee members be given time to review the documents to see if they do in fact meet the original production order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

I don't see that as a point of order at this time, but I think it's a sensible question to maybe ask the clerks and the parliamentary procedure people at some point. I know what Mr. Poilievre's motion states in various places in terms of times. We need to make sure with the parliamentary procedure people that this is in fact doable. I think it's a legitimate question at some point in time to someone.... I'm not sure who. I guess it's the parliamentary procedure people.

Is there anybody who wants to speak on the amendment?

Mr. Kelly.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

If I may, I want to be clear. When you repeated the motion I'm not sure you got it in the first place. It's under the first “that.”

It is “That” and then the amendment follows: “That the evidence heard and papers received by the committee during its study on government spending, WE and the Canada Student Service Grant, during the first session of the 43rd Parliament, be taken into consideration by the committee during the current session and, accordingly, the Chair be instructed to present....” It goes on from there.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

I did say it in the wrong place.

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order. Can you read the whole paragraph please with that amendment included just so I can make sure that I have it right? I'm so sorry, but I want to make sure that I have it right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

On the motion, Mr. Kelly, could you perhaps count the paragraphs down on the motion, what paragraphs it is you....

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

You had it right, Mr. Chair. It's in the first paragraph.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay. If you could read that whole paragraph with the amendment in it might solve our problem.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

I'm having trouble juggling with this, Mr. Chair, but you have it correct. I think the clerk has it. If there are any questions about that they can go through the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay, but you do have the wording...?

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Kelly is a new member and one I have a sincere respect for, but I think he knows better than to ask the clerk for clarification on his proposed amendments. He was asked a very clear question to read the amendment that he's put forward. It is Mr. Kelly's amendment. Therefore, I think we need certainty and clarity from Mr. Kelly. To put the clerk in what would be a political position would be grossly unfair and very inappropriate.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

That's not what I—

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I have a point of order.

I do think it's reasonable to have the entire paragraph read out. It is absolutely normal that we ask the clerk to do that. As long as I've been in Parliament, we've asked the clerks to make sure that the table has the correct amendment in the correct place, so I think having the clerk read out that paragraph is absolutely legitimate so that we can all note it and write it down. It is something that we normally ask of the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

That is fine.

Madam Clerk, are you in a position at this time to be able to read the whole paragraph with the amendment in?

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

I'd be prepared to read it into the record.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay. Then we'll go to Mr. Falk and then we'll come back to the clerk, if she has anything to add.

Mr. Falk, go ahead.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

The first paragraph will now read, “That the evidence heard and papers received by the committee during its study on government spending, WE and the Canada Student Service Grant during the first session of the 43rd Parliament be taken into consideration by the committee during the current session and, accordingly, the Chair be instructed to present the following report to the House forthwith, provided that dissenting or supplementary opinions, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(b), shall be filed with the Clerk of the Committee within 24 hours of adoption of this motion.”

That, sir, would be the first paragraph.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you. I think that's very clear.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London North Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

I don't mean to continue to raise points of order. I do so whenever I notice something important that needs rectification; let's put it that way.

This is a bilingual country. The federal government operates in a bilingual fashion. This is an important issue, and I think that we need to hear, as a committee, the amendment read in French as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Can somebody read the amendment in French?

Mr. Ste-Marie, do you want to read—