Evidence of meeting #40 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was afghanistan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I thank Mr. Wilfert for bringing this motion. It was on the order paper for a week ago Thursday.
My question is, does the February 20 date still apply?
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
I could, Mr. Chairman, suggest February 22. The reason is that the closures are to take effect as of March 31, and if we're going to respond in any effective manner, I think we would need a month to be able to respond.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
Mr. Chair, before I go into the merits and demerits of the motion, I wish to state at this time that I think this motion is actually out of order, because it is the Government of Canada that made the decision to close these consulates, not the officials of the department. It was the cabinet that made the decision. The motion is asking for the senior officials responsible for this decision, but they were not responsible for the decision; they had nothing to do with this decision. The decision was made by the government, and the department has nothing to do with the decision. Therefore, as it is worded, this motion is out of order.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
You may believe that the motion, as presented, is out of order. Indeed, the way this motion is written, they're calling, for the senior departmental officials who are responsible for the decision. You're saying it's cabinet's decision.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
And they were not responsible for the decision. Therefore, in calling the departmental officials, this motion is wrong, because they were not responsible for the decision.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I'm not proposing anything. It's their motion. I'm not proposing anything.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The wording of the motion is problematic in some ways. I think the date may also be a little bit problematic, given that we travelled last week and this was on for the week before.
Were you finished? They're going to want to look at a friendly amendment now.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I just want to say before I give my rationale and debate on this motion here--because I tell you, I want to debate on this motion--at this given time, this motion, as far as I'm concerned, is out of order.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Maybe we can make it in order. I think there are some problems with who is responsible. Now, if you're saying that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade...
Madam McDonough, you had a...
11:10 a.m.
NDP
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
I'd just like to propose a friendly amendment. I think we're all concerned about the issue, and we don't want to get hung up on something that can become an excuse for not focusing our attention on the concern. I would propose an amendment:
That the committee invite the responsible minister(s) and appropriate officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade....
The minister both deserves and usually demands to be supported by the appropriate officials who have been a part of doing the due diligence and coming up with the recommendations that eventually are carried forward to cabinet.
I think it's very much a friendly amendment in order to try to focus us on what the real issue is here.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Could you maybe just read that one more time? Our clerk will try to get it.
11:15 a.m.
NDP
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
The motion is “That the committee invite the responsible minister(s) and appropriate officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs...” etc..
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Chairman, I had my hand up for that very purpose, so I would consider that a friendly amendment.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I still say that would be out of order, because this was a cabinet decision, not a single minister's decision.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
No. The minister was not responsible for the decision. Your motion is saying the minister responsible for the decision and the... What I'm saying is that it was a cabinet decision. The minister did not make this decision, and therefore you can't have somebody coming in here on something for which he's not responsible.
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
That way nobody is responsible, just the cabinet. There is no minister responsible, amen.
11:15 a.m.
Bloc
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I do not understand Mr. Obhrai's last argument. We want to have information. The minister and the deputy minister can certainly tell us why certain consulates have been closed. This is what we want to know. They can tell us that they defended their viewpoint. They probably will not, given the positions they hold. What we want is information.
I am announcing that I am in support of this motion.