Finance Committee on May 29th, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

What I am saying, MP Lawrence, is that I have already ruled on whatever MP Genuis was bringing forward with regard to the subamendments. You should know, MP Lawrence, because through unanimous consent, the motion that has brought us to where we are right now says “no debate”.

Within that motion, Clerk, could you read how it addresses the issue when it comes to amendments, which it would also capture, which could not even have subamendments within them.

Go ahead, Clerk, please.

[Miriam Burke, Legislative Clerk]

The motion says under (a)(i) that “amendments be submitted to the clerk of the committee in both official languages no later than noon on Friday, May 19, 2023”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Go ahead, MP Blaikie.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

I'm looking for a point of clarification from Mr. Genuis now. Earlier, he said he had just one subamendment that he had submitted in writing. Now we're hearing that he had two subamendments.

I'm wondering if there are any other subamendments that we don't know about that will arise on future clauses, or is this the final subamendment that he apparently sent in before the date? I don't call that into question, but I haven't seen it. It wasn't circulated. That's not on him, although it was presumably after the deadline that was set out in a motion that was passed by unanimous consent.

I'm just looking for some clarification.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Blaikie, I can't speak to that. What I can say is that what MP Genuis is requesting is out of order. It has been already been ruled on.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Can I provide the clarification he's asking for?

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Genuis, you cannot do what you are asking for.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Could I provide the clarification on the rules?

Mr. Blaikie, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I had one amendment to that clause. This will be the only amendment that I move on the Bloc amendment. I have a couple of others on other amendments, but they are fairly simple, straightforward changes that are sincere in their impact. They were provided in writing in advance to the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Genuis, I'm going to interject and I'll tell you why—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Obviously, they were after the deadline, because you can't propose subamendments when you haven't seen the amendments yet. You can only propose subamendments after the deadline, because once the package is distributed—

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

With respect, MP Genuis—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I'm just trying to answer the question, Chair. You're cutting me off and not others.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Genuis, when I ruled, I ruled on all subamendments. It was on all. It's done. It's finished.

MP Genuis, I know you like to listen to yourself, but MP Genuis—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, just on basic decorum, you're the Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Yes, I am.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

—and you have the right to make your rulings, and I have the right to challenge them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Yes.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You might not like me, or you might not like...or you have all kinds of dispersions to cast on my motivations, but I'm trying to challenge a decision you've made.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Genuis, the challenge was sustained.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

I'd like a recorded vote, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Go ahead, MP Blaikie.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

On this point of order, I'm trying to figure out...and I think I'm right in thinking that had we actually done the work on clause-by-clause for the 10 hours that we met last week while Conservatives filibustered this committee, there would have been every opportunity to present subamendments when we considered the amendments during the 10 hours of meetings that we held for that very purpose. The fact that we're here now and there's no debate allowed was already established by a motion that passed by unanimous consent.

If people were serious about their subamendments, I submit to you, Mr. Chair, that they would have talked to their party and would have engaged in the study of clause-by-clause in good faith while there was the full opportunity to move subamendments, instead of putting them on notice after the 10 hours that we spent studying clause-by-clause last week.

At a certain point give me a break. Just give me a break.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Listen, I concur with that, and—

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

That's 10 hours, Mr. Chair—10 hours.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Chair, on that point of order—