Foreign Affairs Committee on Dec. 13th, 2006

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I guess I'm concerned that with all the reporting we've put in place here it's going to take a long time to prepare for this, so I don't want to restrict the time any more than we already have.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

It just accelerates the reporting period.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I recognize that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

It basically says that rather than waiting for the Governor in Council, and then the day after that comes in, this is 30 days after receiving royal assent. Logistically, I don't know what the difference is. Normally in bills like this it does go to Governor in Council. Is that the deal?

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Well, not to be suspicious or paranoid, but history is replete with examples of legislation being passed and never ending up receiving royal assent. So we just want to make sure that doesn't happen.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

If this were a government bill, you wouldn't have to worry about that. This is a private member's bill, and frankly, the government can just stall royal assent, then, bingo, Parliament dissolves, end of story. So that's the point.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

The amendment says “after it receives royal assent”, so it then becomes—

[Gerald Schmitz]

It is the coming into force--the proclamation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Would you be willing to go to 60 days? I don't know what the logistical.... I'm not certain why 30 days is taken and not 90 or whatever.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Well, for the sake of cooperation, to bring this wonderful collaborative effort to fruition, I'd certainly accept a friendly amendment. Take your pick, 45 or 60.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

How about 45?

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Okay, 45 is a good compromise.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Menzies.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Going back to how hastily put together this piece of draft legislation is, what is standard? What is doable? We're talking about probably four different departments here. Is that doable? I'm not sure it's doable in 60 days.

[A voice]

It's irrelevant.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Yes, the whole thing seems irrelevant to you, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

I'm just throwing that out. I don't want to handcuff anyone here. It's going to receive royal assent.

Are you willing to go to the 60 days, Madam McDonough?

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

I actually think I'd rather keep it at 30. We see too much straining against getting on with this, so let's put it to a vote and.... It has been two and a half years in the works.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Goldring.

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

Well, there seems to be a misunderstanding.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

I'd like to end this on a happy note. Rather than tying the.... Go ahead.

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

On one hand we're hearing that the concern is because, according to John, it's been known to be held up and not receive royal assent. Then we're hearing on the other hand that there's a concern about putting a time figure in afterwards.

What is a normal, appropriate period of time, and does it depend on the complexity of the bill, and do you want to tie it down too badly? And if it is a matter of deciding on something here, I would think 60 or 90 days would be a reasonable amount of time to put into it, not a narrow focus of 30 days or 45.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

All we're talking about here, Mr. Chairman, is the act coming into force 30 days after the day on which it receives royal assent. The various reports that are due, and so on, don't even start—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

That would be a year down the road, after the fiscal—

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

That's right.