Foreign Affairs Committee on June 21st, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Now, the motion as amended.

Mr. Epp.

[Ken Epp, Conservative, Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB]

I beg the members of the committee to think about what we're voting on. We're saying now that the government should work with Canadians with Zimbabwe background, or whatever. What are they going to do? Are they going to run ads in papers to say, if you're a victim, please come forward? How are you going to find them, practically speaking?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

We'll now take a recorded vote on the motion.

We appreciate that, Mr. Epp.

(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; abstentions 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Martin, to your third motion. Is this as presented, or is this amended as well?

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

This is amended.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

But we have three amendments.

The government has no idea. I mean, we have a chair and we need some direction here. We are having difficulties here. If you want to give us the notice to bring an amendment, fine, but three amendments like this, without our knowing....

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

First of all, Mr. Obhrai, I was not aware that the motions presented today would come amended. As the chair, I was not aware that there had been consultations among all opposition parties, without consultations with the government, the clerk, the chair, or anyone else, yet that is what we have, on three very important motions.

When I looked at the first two motions, my decision was that it didn't necessarily change the overall intent of the motion, but certainly it did change the motion. If the motion as amended is deemed...or if I don't believe it still carries the overall spirit of the motion, then it won't be acceptable.

Let's hear the motion as amended.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

As amended, or the original motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

It doesn't matter.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Madame McDonough can do the amended motion, if you want.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Here we are again. You're going to read an amended motion. It's not like we've had the chance to talk about the original motion, and none of us has a copy of the amended motion.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

I'll just read the motion, then, Mr. Chair.

The motion states:

That the committee recommend that the government recognize that the Darfur peace agreement, signed on May 5, 2006, has already been violated by all parties numerous times.

That the African Union has admitted that it is incapable of preventing violence in the region or in protecting aid convoys from interference or attack.

That the only means in which the people of Darfur are going to be safe is through the deployment of a robust Chapter 7 peacekeeping force as soon as possible.

That the government prepare to support this mission through all diplomatic, economic and military means available.

That's the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

All right. We've heard the motion. We would now like to hear the amendment to the motion.

Madam McDonough.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

You know, I think we have to acknowledge that it is difficult if some members are sitting here with more information than others. In the spirit of trying to resolve that problem and in the hope of moving forward this week, I'd like to suggest two fairly minor amendments and that we accept them.

It is also open to other people to propose amendments as well. I think that's what we're dealing with.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay, but one moment, please. As I understand it, Mr. Martin already has an amended motion. Are you moving the amendment--the only amendment?

[An hon. member]

She's going to move the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay, then I accept it.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

I'm responding in the spirit.... There are a couple of other amendments that might strengthen it, but I think we're trying not to overload this process. So let me propose a couple of small amendments.

In the first clause that now reads: "That the Committee recommend that the government recognize that the Darfur peace agreement, signed on May 5, 2006, has already been violated by all parties numerous times."

I'm going to propose a small amendment that would read "been violated by its signatories".

Secondly--

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Has already been violated by its signatories.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Yes.

And a second amendment would go at the end: "That this motion be tabled as a report in the House and that the government issue a response."

That's really just adding the traditional request for a report back from the government.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I don't understand the last portion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay, it would be this: "That this motion be tabled as a report in the House and that the government issue a response. That the government prepare to support this mission through all diplomatic, economic and military means available."

On this motion as amended, we will first take a vote on the amendments to the motion and then you can speak to the motion as amended.

Does anyone want to speak to the amendments?

[Ken Epp, Conservative, Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB]

If I may, Mr. Chair, I think this might be as good a time as any to get this off my chest. All three of these issues are very serious and I think they are of heart-wrenching concern to all members.

I am frankly very frustrated. In the process being used today, it looks to me as if it's a very blatant attempt by the opposition to simply be able to go out in summer and say they supported helping people in Africa, Zimbabwe, and Darfur and that wicked old Conservative government didn't support them. I feel very sad that we would use an issue of this magnitude for this type of purpose.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Mr. Epp.

I will go to Madam Bourgeois, Mr. Patry, and Mr. Martin.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

I ask for the vote.