Foreign Affairs Committee on Dec. 13th, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

I guess the question is the purpose of the friendly amendment. I almost liked it better as the original NDP motion.

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

What is the difference?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

That part I don't think we have fully understood. What is the difference between saying “this act does not apply in respect of”, and “the criteria in subsection 4(1) shall not apply”?

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

I am happy to withdraw the friendly amendment, but I thought I was actually helping out the government.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

No, no. I'm just saying for myself—

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

I'm just trying to respond to their arguments. If they don't want it, it's fine by me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Patry and then Mr. Menzies.

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

If we just go for “the criteria of subsection 4(1) shall not apply”, it doesn't mean that the other criteria of the bill apply. I much prefer to say “this act does not apply”.

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

No friendly amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay.

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

I'm not friendly then.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

We're just trying to be responsive to the concerns raised, but if that's the general consensus, let's go back to the proposed amendment and call for the question.

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

We agree? Okay.

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

That's fine. We won't be friendly any more.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Menzies, go ahead.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

We need a clarification. What are we suggesting here?

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

Nothing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Order, please.

I think what Mr. McKay has now suggested is that they would be willing to go with the friendly amendment, or they'd be willing to withdraw it, waiting and pending the government approval.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

What are we going to vote on?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

What would you prefer?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

If we're going to talk about clause 4, we'd better talk about all of 4, or just leave it the way it is.

The suggestion was to put in that this act applies to subsection 4(1).

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

I don't accept the friendly amendment. I think this act does not apply.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

So he has withdrawn the friendly amendment?

[A voice]

Yes.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Okay. That's what I was trying to clarify, what we're voting on.