Evidence of meeting #22 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.
11:25 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
That's fair enough, Ms. McPherson. I think it's one of the unintended consequences of the manner in which amendments were introduced.
Mr. Chong, the floor is yours.
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
If that's where the committee is going, Mr. Chair, I agree with what Madam McPherson has proposed.
That can only happen, though, if the fourth amendment is defeated and we can submit our witnesses directly to the clerk, as other members of the committee can as well. That's the reason I introduced this subamendment. Simply, I was worried that we would not be able to submit additional witnesses.
I agree with what Madam McPherson has proposed and I hope that is what the committee does.
11:25 a.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
Mr. Chair, I think we'll be able to agree when we get to the fourth one. I think we can negotiate a date. We've already sort of said “as soon as possible”, and the first one will be open to more witnesses. Our general thought is more witnesses after we've heard what we need, but we're very open to that.
I would think we could go to the subamendment on the third amendment and get that done. Then maybe we could vote on the third amendment, and then we can address the fourth one. We're open to Ms. McPherson's suggestion that we can have more witnesses, but we just want to get the wording of that correct.
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
On that comment by Mr. Oliphant, would he [Inaudible—Editor] withdraw his fourth amendment so we could then have a proper discussion around the ending of the motion after this subamendment is voted on?
11:25 a.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
If I could just jump in to speak to that point of order, I would like a little discussion on that fourth amendment. I worry that the date may be too early if availability of ministers is pushed ahead. All of those things.... I don't like that date. I just think we could have some discussion. We're fine with more witnesses, but I'd like to get this one done first.
You have my word that we will get to that fourth amendment and find a way that we can all agree to having more witnesses on a date that's acceptable to everybody.
I won't withdraw it yet, but we can subamend it.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Would anyone else like to speak to this? No.
Is it the wish of the members to actually put number three to a vote?
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
There's no need to do it, Mr. Chair. I think it's clear that the subamendment is going to be defeated.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I'm not withdrawing it. I'm assuming Madam McPherson is going to vote against it, so—
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Yes.
Before I read my subamendment, your amendment called for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the ambassador of Ukraine to Canada. Mr. Oliphant has proposed an amendment that adds “the ambassador of Germany to Canada and the ambassador of the European Union to Canada”.
I'm proposing that we add that other witnesses be invited, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, the Ukrainian foreign minister, the Ukrainian World Congress, Balkan Devlen, Thierry Bros and Marcus Kolga.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you, Mr. Chong.
Now could we go to a vote on this?
(Subamendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'm not sure in hindsight, and the clerk can correct me if I'm wrong, whether we actually voted on the first two parts of the amendment. I think we've reached consensus on them now as they stand.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
We haven't. Okay. Do we now vote on the third amendment, which adds the ambassadors?
Okay.
Then we'll get to the fourth amendment, and I'll be very willing to entertain a subamendment to that as the mover of it.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
For sure.
We'll now revert to Mr. Oliphant's third amendment. However, for the benefit of committee members, I will ask the clerk to read out to all members the third amendment.
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
The third amendment was the addition of the ambassador of Germany to Canada and the ambassador of the European Union to Canada.
11:30 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you very much.
Now, if members agree, we'll put that to a vote as well.
11:30 a.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm sorry, but this has all become a bit convoluted, so I'm trying to make sure that it's clear in my mind. I'm tired this morning, apparently.
This would add those two ambassadors to our list, but we would still maintain that committee members submit lists of additional witnesses by July 19 so that we have the opportunity to submit the Deputy Prime Minister and all the other names at that point. Is that correct?