Evidence of meeting #2 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Welcome, colleagues.
We are meeting to discuss the first report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which was distributed to you on December 23, 2021. We will go right into the discussion.
I understand from the clerk and her colleague that Madame Bendayan would like to have the floor.
Please, go ahead.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Dear colleagues, I wish you a happy new year.
I think that it is very important for us to have this meeting today as the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. We are at a turning point, a crucial moment for rules-based world order. Quite frankly, it is possible that we are on the eve of a new invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a military confrontation that could have vast and devastating consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe and NATO, including Canada. I think that it is important for this committee to study the issue and make it a priority.
I would propose to colleagues, even though I understand there are a number of issues to be debated—all of them important and pressing no doubt, particularly a study around vaccine equity around the world—that the devastating consequences of the escalation of tensions at the Ukrainian-Russian border is of paramount importance.
We are the committee tasked with studying foreign affairs on behalf of Parliament. I do also want to point out that we could potentially study more than one thing at any given time. This may be helpful in terms of ensuring we constantly have a roster of business that keeps us busy with the important items that need to be studied.
I would like to immediately move, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the foreign affairs and international development committee undertake a study on the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border. It is one which, as I said earlier in French, risks the peace and security in the region, and also, frankly, in the entire world.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Joly, was recently in Ukraine. She also had in-person meetings with many of her European counterparts. I think all members of this committee and all Canadians should hear the tenor of those meetings.
I would also note that the Minister of Defence is currently on the ground in Ukraine.
I did submit a motion to this effect, which all colleagues would have received back in December. Since then, things have only escalated further.
I would like to read the motion into the record. I will do so now, colleagues, even though you have it.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Madame Bendayan, can I interrupt you for one second?
Mr. Chong raised a point of order. We will go to that briefly and then continue.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I believe the motion in front of us right now is the adoption of the first report from the subcommittee, so I think that should be disposed of before other motions are moved.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Thank you, Mr. Chong.
The subcommittee report is before the committee. I will confirm with the clerk to see if this was actually put into the form of a motion. If not, then Madame Bendayan's—
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Let's be explicit. In the current phase of the committee's lifespan, it might be helpful to be as explicit as we can just to make sure everybody is on the same page.
Madam Clerk, is the report that was sent to members on December 23 deemed to be in the form of a motion or would a motion first have to be put to the committee to adopt or even discuss this report?
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Erica Pereira
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As it was presented to the committee, then it would be properly before the committee.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
That being said, Madame Bendayan, the way to tackle your motion is to ask whether you are effectively amending the subcommittee report or bringing a new motion.
I will return the floor briefly to you for a response on that to address Mr. Chong's point of order. If it's essentially an amendment to the motion to adopt the subcommittee report, then it will be procedurally clear. Otherwise, we will confer with the clerk to see what we would do with that parallel motion.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It was not my impression that the subcommittee report was in the form of a motion. I thank the clerk for clarifying.
In light of that, yes, I am amending the subcommittee motion before the committee with what I have just put into the record.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For transcription, I would like to read the motion that proposed this study, after which we can proceed with the vote:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee undertake a study on the escalating situation at the Russia-Ukraine border that risks peace and security in the region, the Government of Canada’s support for our allies in Ukraine and the path to Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as reaffirmed at the 2021 NATO Brussels Summit; that the committee hold a minimum of four (4) meetings on this study, including two (2) meetings to hear from witnesses and two (2) meetings to receive briefings from officials concerning the situation and, recognizing the sensitivity of matters of national security, that one of the latter briefing meetings be held in camera and the other in public.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Yes, one moment.
To make sure, Ms. Bendayan, that members understand correctly the amendment, are you effectively replacing the entire language of the subcommittee report with the motion you have proposed, or are you contemplating or proposing that both be carried forward in parallel?
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Yes, I propose that, given the urgency of the situation at the Ukrainian-Russian border, my amendment put forward this study first, and we can move to the studies discussed by the subcommittee and proposed in its motion at a later date.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Okay.
Mr. Bergeron wishes to raise a point of order, but first, I would like you to make some clarifications, Madam Clerk.
If Ms. Bendayan proceeds, is that effectively extinguishing the committee's option, assuming this motion goes forward? It may be carried or defeated, but does that extinguish the option from discussing the subcommittee report as originally drafted?
The Clerk
According to my understanding, Ms. Bendayan has moved an amendment to the subcommittee report. That amendment would replace what is currently there with the motion that she just read into the record.
The Clerk
Correct.
The next course of action would be to debate and vote on this amendment. If people vote in favour, then yes, it would have the action of replacing that one item. If people vote against, then that one item would be restored.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Okay, thank you very much.
That's very helpful.
Mr. Bergeron, you wanted to raise a point of order.
Conservative
Marty Morantz Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
