Foreign Affairs Committee on May 16th, 2022

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

That's not a point of order.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

No, but this person—

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

It's not a point or order, Mr. Chair.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

—is speaking off topic. If the honourable member let me finish my sentence.... We have listened to him now for so long that he might be respectful enough to listen to me speak.

Chair, this is irrelevant. I think, as Madam Bendayan has said, it is repetitive. It is talking about Haiti. It's talking about the Organization of American States. It's talking about everything but the subamendment. It is repetitive and irrelevant.

Thank you. That's my point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Madam Fry.

We'll now go to Madam Goodridge.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On this point of order, I believe we are starting to get into the realm—just on the points of order—of being very disrespectful. I understand that Mr. Perkins has spoken at length on some topics. I've learned quite a bit about Canada's history on sanctions, but I do not believe that the original points of order are necessarily called for.

I think that it is incumbent on each and every one of us as members to treat each other with respect. I don't believe I was hearing that as we were going on. I would argue that this is in fact a point of order.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

On this point of order, Mr. Chair....

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Ms. Goodridge.

Go ahead, Mr. Genuis.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

With respect to the original point of order, I want to say that there's no hierarchy of speakers. We have associate members who follow the work of this committee. To diminish someone's contribution because they're an associate member, as opposed to a member who is not an associate member.... I wonder if we can get clarity from the clerk or the chair that anybody who's subbed in and is speaking has the full rights to make arguments. It's not germane to how their point is understood whether or not they're a regular member or an associate member.

On the other issue, with respect to the content of the subamendment, it deals with the question of completion of studies versus non-completion of studies. Surely, the nature of those studies that would or would not be completed is very much on the point of completion of studies or not. This is the core subject matter, so it's obvious that it needs to be part of the discussion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Mr. Genuis.

I would just remind you that Mr. Perkins has not been subbed in. However, insofar as section 119 is concerned, he does have the right to have the floor.

Ms. Bendayan, did you have a point of order?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would ask for a ruling on relevance. I can speak at length to the number of items that were completely irrelevant, but I think you heard very well the member opposite and I would ask for a ruling, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Ms. Bendayan.

Now, first of all, allow me to remind every member of this committee that it is imperative that we remain civil and we allow every member to have their say, so to speak. That would be the first thing.

The second thing is that it is important that members speak to the relevant issues at hand and that they do not engage in repetition. I think the member would concede that on points of order one of the other members of this committee said it's been fabulous because they've received a history on sanctions.

A history on sanctions, Mr. Perkins, is not relevant to the subamendment at hand, so I would ask, for the last time, that you do please keep your focus on the subamendment and ensure that the points you are raising are relevant and that they are not repetitive.

Thank you, Mr. Perkins. The floor is yours.

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

I believe that if you seek it you will find agreement for a suspension of this committee until 10 minutes to the hour.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We are suspended for five minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

If we could, we'll reconvene and resume debate.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, I'll conclude my remarks there.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Mr. Perkins.

Next we go to Mr. Genuis.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, but I will strike for now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Mr. Genuis.

We next go to Mr. Zuberi.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll also remove myself from the speaking list.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Viersen is not here. We next go to Ms. Goodridge.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will also remove my name from the speaking list at this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Ms. Goodridge.

We next go to Madame Michaud.