Fisheries Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

What we're trying to make sure we secure is that, first, the intent of the earlier motion was to have the minister come and do a full briefing to the committee on Big Bar. What we're talking about is included in the salmon study, to have two separate meetings, minimum, that are focused on Big Bar and that we do an interim report ahead of the full study of salmon. It's important that we get something out the door early on, and that's what we're looking for.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Mr. Calkins.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Given the context of the debate that's already happened here today on previous motions that have been moved, there doesn't appear to be any urgency until after April 1 to study this particular issue, given the fact that we've extended by several weeks, on a previous motion, the requirement of the minister to come and talk to us about the Big Bar slide.

I would like to propose an amendment to this, at the end.

Instead of saying, “testify before the committee” period, I would say “testify before the committee, and that this study begins after April 1, 2020.”

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

We're speaking to the subamendment? Is that where we are currently?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We're speaking to the amendment, I guess, not the actual study.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

Are we speaking to Mr. Calkins' amendment or speaking to the original amendment?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

It's Mr. Calkins'.

While I'm speaking, Gord, do you have a copy of what you've proposed as the amendment we could have here at the table?

Mr. Beech, go ahead.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

Do you mean on the subamendment?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Yes.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

Thank you.

In terms of the urgency, this issue is urgent for all British Columbians.

When the minister made her first trip to British Columbia, she specifically went to Big Bar. She might actually be the first minister who didn't go to Vancouver as her first visit. She went to Big Bar to check out the situation. She's been seized with this issue throughout. I think delaying it until after April 1 is a mistake. We need to start looking into these details now as a committee.

The ability that we will have if we adopt Mr. Johns' amendment, and not adopt the subamendment, is that we will be well versed in exactly what has happened, what the challenges are and what potential contingency plans can be. I would suggest that we vote against the subamendment and support Mr. Johns' original amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We'll deal with Mr. Johns' amendment first. There are three items in it.

We will vote on each one individually.

The first amendment by Mr. Johns is that after the words “Pacific salmon” be added “as its first study”.

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Second comes at the end of the motion. It adds “that this study consist of at least six meetings, with two of those meetings focused on the Big Bar slide”.

Then later, after “testify before the committee,” add “and that an interim report be completed on the Big Bar slide before the full study is complete”.

(Amendment agreed to)

Third is “that an interim report on the Big Bar slide be completed before the full study is complete”.

(Amendment agreed to)

Now we'll vote on the motion as amended.

Mr. Calkins.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Are you talking about my amendment now, or are you talking about the entirety of the motion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

No. You ruled yourself that your amendment was out of order.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

It's as if now, in this committee's mind, that amendment was never moved. Is that correct?

If it is deemed as never having been put forward, I'm fine with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

It actually went to debate, so it was put forward.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I know, but then we went back in time.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Not everybody can do that.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

We have time outs. We have changes in time. We go back in time. This committee's very flexible that way.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We can set the clock at whatever we like.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I'm fine with that, but I just want clarification from you that the amendment that I moved is deemed now to have not been put forward because we went back and dealt with Mr. Johns' amendments. Is that correct?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

It's now null and void.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Now we'll vote on the motion as amended.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Mr. Arnold.