Evidence of meeting #2 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 44th 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.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have one question and then one comment.
Mr. Kelloway mentioned the (C) estimates. I'm questioning whether those have been actually tabled yet. We might be presumptuous in narrowing the scope to just the (C) estimates. Would it be possible to have this added to his amendment, that we'd have the minister appear on the estimates, the mandate letter and on matters related to her department?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Now we're speaking only to the subamendment.
Do you want to speak to that, Mr. Zimmer—not the amendment, but the subamendment?
Conservative
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Yes, I was just going to speak to the amendment, but I would support what my colleague is trying to get across by having the minister speak for two hours. I'd say a broader definition is better. There's a lot to talk about in our particular ministry with respect to our responsibilities from coast to coast. I think it would be better with four hours, but two hours will do.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you.
Is there any more discussion on the subamendment?
(Subamendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Now we'll discuss the amendment itself, as amended.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
On a point of clarification, is that a one- or two-hour appearance, in the amendment that we're dealing with now?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
The subamendment was that the minister appear for two hours, I believe. That was the subamendment by Mr. Arnold, as I understood it.
Conservative
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Mr. Chair, I took it that Mr. Arnold's amendment was simply to add the wording regarding the scope of the testimony to be heard, on other matters concerning the department. The main amendment has to do with the amount of time the minister will spend.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
I thought that Mr. Arnold did ask for the two hours. I could be wrong.
I'm going to ask one of the clerks to clarify, if they are taking notes, or the analysts.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Tina Miller
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For the subamendment by Mr. Arnold, I would actually need a copy of the subamendment. I believe the decision was carried on division; however, I did see some hands raised, just to note.
It's just to ensure that we have copies of the amendments. I don't have copies, as it stands now.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Perhaps Mr. Arnold can provide that. If it's different from what I thought, then we'll.... We can't get back to it until we know, because we have to go to the subamendment first, as amended.
Mr. Arnold, perhaps you could provide that to the clerk, please, or at least read it out.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
In order to provide the subamendment, I would need the actual amendment from Mr. Kelloway.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
I sure can: “That the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard for one hour, and senior officials for two hours, to appear in consideration of the supplementary (C) estimates, and the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard's mandate letter at their earliest convenience.”
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I propose that it be amended to two hours, and then at the end of the amendment to discuss—
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
That's “in the first week of February 2022”.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
[Technical difficulty—Editor] if I can speak to the reason for that.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Thanks, Chair.
Could we go back for clarification? There's a bit of confusion, and I want to know clearly what we're voting on.
Typically, in all of the committees in the past, the minister has come in for an hour and the officials have come for the rest of the time. If we could see exactly.... The wording has changed twice now with Mr. Arnold's subamendment, and there's been another interpretation added by another member of the committee, so I am unsure what I am voting on and I'm requesting clarification.
Until we see it, until somebody can produce the actual wording of the subamendment and how it impacts the amendment, I do not know what I'm voting on as a member of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Okay. I'll ask Mr. Arnold again to provide a copy to the clerk so that she can distribute it.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Again, Mr. Chair, in order for me to provide the subamendment, I would need to see a written copy of the amendment proposed by Mr. Kelloway.