Evidence of meeting #6 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Thank you. I will now read my motion, for which I gave notice on May 28:
That, pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the Committee undertake a study of at least four meetings to identify the impacts of COVID-19 on fishing industry stakeholders such as independent fishers, processing plants, First Nations and workers; that the Committee call witnesses including senior departmental officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and interested stakeholder groups to testify; and that the Committee report its conclusions and recommendations to the House.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Does everybody have a copy of the motion? Okay.
Is there any discussion on the motion?
Mr. Johns.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
I have a friendly amendment. I want to change the wording “first nations” to “indigenous” and add sport fishing as well, because we haven't talked about that, in addition to independent sport fishers.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Everybody has heard Mr. Johns' amendment to change “first nations” to “indigenous”.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
The translation is not the same for “autochtones”. In French, it is “autochtones”. There is a translation problem. I am quite willing to correct it.
Conservative
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Chair, Mr. Johns is on to something, but there's a difference between a sport fisher.... I consider myself a sport fisherman, but there are also guides, outfitters and lodges. I'm assuming that Mr. Johns meant to include everybody, from the person who buys a fishing licence and takes themself fishing, right up to business owners with seasonal industry who take people as guides or outfitters for recreational fishing. I would prefer to call it recreational fishing, but I'm not fussy either way.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you, Mr. Johns.
Has everybody heard the amendment? Is there any further discussion?
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Just to clarify, we'll use the word “recreation” instead of “sport” and “indigenous” instead of “first nations”, because of the English side of that. These are just friendly amendments.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Okay. We'll vote on the amendment.
(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
Conservative
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
Now that we have another study added to the list of things we're already studying, and given the fact that we're now in the third phase of motions that govern a COVID committee of the whole, which some people are referring to as modified Parliament—it's not Parliament—and given the fact that this committee and its work is actually given to us or instructed to us from the House of Commons, which is adjourned, when we do a study how exactly are you as chair going to report to a House that doesn't exist?
The Clerk
The motion adopted by the House is that the committee can study COVID-19 and also other matters. The motion of the House specified that the committee can meet in camera in order to consider draft reports, so the committee can do that. There is no specific definition as to when the committee can present a report.
At this time, there is no Routine Proceedings in the House plan, so the committee would not be able to present a report. However, it doesn't mean that the committee cannot study, prepare and adopt a report, but the committee, at this time, would not be able to present the report until the House is back and there is Routine Proceedings.
Conservative
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
I assume then, Chair, that the committee is still operating under the normal rules that a committee would operate, and that any consideration of a report from this committee would be done in camera and would be embargoed until you, Chair, rise in the House of Commons during Routine Proceedings and present it.
Until there is actually a House of Commons then, would I understand that any work we do would simply be put on the shelf until an actual Parliament resumes?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
All our meetings are in public, so I guess it would be in public anyway if people are interested in listening to us.
Conservative
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Usually consideration of draft reports is never done in a public meeting. I suppose we can do that if we choose to.
I think these are all worthwhile exercises, Chair. I'm not trying to suggest that they are not. I'm here because I think this is a worthwhile exercise. I'm simply trying to figure out what the point of the exercise would be if we're not able, over the summer months, to actually publish or make public a report as a result of a study that this committee undertakes without a mechanism for you, Chair, to rise in the House of Commons and make that report public.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Chair, I would also like to introduce a notice of motion. May I do that now, or do I need to wait until we have finished the discussion that Mr. Calkins raised?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
If there is no further discussion, we will vote on the motion as amended by Madam Gill.
Nancy, when you are ready for the vote, please go ahead.