Finance Committee on May 29th, 2023

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

I'd like a recorded vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

We'll have a recorded vote.

(Clause 244 agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

On new clause 244.1, CPC-16, I do have a ruling.

Bill C-47 amends several acts, including the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act. The amendment seeks to establish a new mechanism to reassess the method of calculation of the fiscal equalization payments following a provincial referendum on the matter. This is a new concept that was not envisioned in the bill when it was adopted by the House at second reading.

As House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, states on page 770, “An amendment to a bill that was referred to committee after second reading is out of order if it is beyond the scope and principle of the bill.”

Therefore, and for the above-stated reason, I rule the amendment inadmissible.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Yes, go ahead on a point of order.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

I wish to seek clarity on this, but before that I have a point of order.

There's nowhere in the motion, if you'd like to read it, that says that discussion of a chair's ruling is prohibited.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

The motion says that there is no debate.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

This is discussion of a chair's ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

There is no debate. It has been ruled inadmissible. So we are—

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

I will challenge the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Okay, we have a challenge.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Just to be clear, the challenge is on whether we are allowed to debate a chair's ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

That is not debatable.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

That is challengeable. You've made a decision.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Are you challenging my ruling, MP Lawrence?

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

I am challenging your ruling that I'm not allowed to debate your ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Your understanding is incorrect, MP Lawrence. You can only challenge the chair's ruling.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

The chair is ruling that I can't challenge the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

You can only challenge the chair's ruling. I've conferred with the legislative clerk.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

This is very Liberal. You cannot challenge—

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

There's a vote.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

So the chair has argued that I can't challenge—

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

There's no debate, MP Lawrence.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

It seems about par for the course.

I will challenge your ruling, then.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

Mr. Clerk, go ahead.

[The Clerk]

This is a vote on the challenge of the chair's ruling.