Evidence of meeting #30 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.

A recording is available from Parliament.

report is finalizedround tablepoint

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Members, we're no longer in camera.

We have a motion. Before we start on Mr. Dewar's motion--it's the first motion--I've had a verbal request from Mr. Obhrai. He wants to remove the last motion, about having the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development. The main estimates will be discussed in the House of Commons, so we don't need to have him here.

Do we all agree?

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Did we not pass a motion to have the minister in front of the committee?

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Yes.

As spoken

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

I am removing the one on the estimates, not that one. That motion is passed now.

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Right. So we're going to have him in front of this committee?

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Yes, but we removed the one for the main estimates.

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Of course. Yes, I assumed that was the case.

Thank you.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Monsieur Lebel--

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Chair, I had my hand up first, before we—

As spoken

Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

About what?

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

About the first order of business.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Yes, but I want to see what Monsieur Lebel wants to discuss.

Oui, monsieur Lebel.

As spoken

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Denis Lebel Conservative Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

I would like to speak to my motion, Mr. Chairman. I've looked at our proposed agenda for the next few weeks. Obviously, there are a number of very important and timely issues listed, but I also see that time is marching on. I tabled a motion concerning the Summit of La Francophonie in which I requested the following:

That [...] the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, under the framework of a proactive evaluation of the Summit of heads of State and Government of Countries Using French as a Common Language (usually called the Summit of La Francophonie), scheduled for Quebec City on October 17-19, 2008 invite officials to appear before it [...]

That way, the committee would be informed of the preparations under way for the Summit. Canada's image is on the line here. Official languages are a very important consideration for all members of Parliament. I am a member of the Standing Committee on Official Languages and every time the committee meets, I see just how sensitive this issue is.

I've looked at the order in which the motions will be considered. Most of them call for explanations as to why certain decisions were made, or ask that certain facts be acknowledged. However, time is flying by. The OIF is comprised of 55 states and governments. Therefore, we can expect 55 member states and governments and 13 observer nations to descend on Quebec City. Officials are being welcomed here. I want some assurance, as do all MPs, that preparations are set for this summit. I want some assurance that Canada...

Translated

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Sir, the only thing you can do is table a new motion asking that your motion be dealt with before the others, as Mr. Dewar has done. That's your only option.

Translated

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Denis Lebel Conservative Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Chairman, with my preamble, I was hoping that my motion would move up... Given the chronological order, my motion will come up for debate after the Summit has taken place. Therefore, I'm asking that you move my motion up the list so that we can debate it and ensure that Canada extends a proper welcome to those who will be attending the summit.

Translated

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

On a point of order, Chair, if I may, I had my hand up immediately.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Yes, I know. You've got your point of order.

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

This happened last time, and Mr. Sorenson said he was sorry, he didn't see me.

I said this before we went out of camera; I had my hand up and was recognized. I just want to be clear on this.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Sure, you're clear.

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Okay.

So if you had a point of order, fine, but I was the first one with my hand up.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

You're right. You're right about this. I'll recognize you....

Mr. Obhrai, do you have a point of order or what? No?

Mr. Dewar.

As spoken

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Thank you.

Mr. Chair, first of all, I want to table the motion I had in front of the committee, that was to bring forward my motion on having the minister in front of us—so relax over there—and wanted to get to my motion that I had in the next order of business, and that was the motion we'd normally be looking at. That would be the following:

That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development report to the House the following recommendations; that the Government adopt the recommendations put forward in the Advisory Group Report: National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries, and that the government announces its proposals for the implementation of the Report's recommendations.

I'd like to just move into that motion, as was scheduled.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

He put his motion. Okay, that's his motion. The first one is debatable.

As spoken

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

No, no, that's not fair.

As spoken

The Vice-Chair Liberal Bernard Patry

Go ahead on your point of order.

As spoken