Foreign Affairs Committee on April 25th, 2023

[Amy Awad, Senior Director, Marketplace and Legislative Policy, Department of Canadian Heritage]

We don't have a decisive answer on this question. The meaning is essentially that it will translate to the same word in French. Both “meaningfully” and “significantly” are used in different places, but we haven't had time to do an analysis of whether or not there's a notable difference in the meaning. I'm sorry we couldn't be more helpful.

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

I have a point of order.

Based on the feedback from my colleagues, this isn't necessarily a hill we want to die on. If there's consensus, maybe we will deem the subamendment withdrawn and the amendment adopted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Is there unanimous consent to withdraw the subamendment?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

(Subamendment withdrawn)

Okay. Reverting back to the amendment—

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

I also said to have the amendment adopted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Yes. We have unanimous consent on that.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 4 as amended agreed to)

(On clause 5)

We now go to clause 5 and NDP-3.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

NDP-3 is on page 3. We propose replacing line 18 of page 3 with the following:

[com]mitments under the Convention, particularly its obligations under Article 5, (Victim assistance) and Article 6 (International cooperation and assistance) of the Convention, and to restrict invest[ments]

This talks a bit more about the need for international co-operation and humanitarian assistance. It emphasizes the positive obligations that Canada has with regard to being a state party to the convention.

It's an easy one. I think we should all just accept it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you for that, Ms. McPherson.

I should note and highlight for all of the members that if NDP-3 is adopted, G-3 cannot be moved, due to a line conflict, since any given line can be amended only once.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I accept that ruling, though I'm not sure it's exactly correct. The words are not the same that are being changed. The line, yes, but not the words. However, what I'd like to know is whether NDP-3 can be subamended. I didn't know that ruling would happen. I just have to work for a minute. We're very supportive of NDP-3, but we would like to massage it a little with G-3. I'm just trying to figure out how to do that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Lawrence.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

While Mr. Oliphant reads his new one, maybe I could just talk for a second here. I'm hoping the massage is not going to include “financial assistance”, because “financial assistance” is an undefined term. It's not in the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act. It's not an economically defined term. It's way too broad. I'm hoping it's not going to include that, because Conservatives will not support that.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I would like to suspend the meeting for a couple of minutes while we sort out how we can subamend NDP-3. If G-3 is not allowed, then I'm looking for a way to amend it by inserting a few words.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Would five minutes suffice?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

We'll suspend for five minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

It now having been five minutes, I think we can resume.

However, prior to resuming, I want to acknowledge that we are very privileged to have in the room today a number of grade 12 students who are taking a Canada and international politics class at Havergal.

Thank you for being here, and thank you for taking an interest in our democratic processes. You will note that everyone here is very compromising, and that we continually collaborate.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

It is great to see you all here.

On that note, I will go to Mr. Oliphant.

The floor is yours.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I'm just worried that they're going to think they did something wrong and are being punished by being sent to committee.

We are in support of subamending NDP-3, an amendment to clause 5, with the insertion of six more words, which are in the last sentence. It begins “of the Convention”, and then it will be “prohibit the provision of financial assistance, and to restrict invest[ments]”, and continuing on. It is restricting not only investment, but providing financial assistance in the pursuit of that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

It's good to hear you're in favour of your own subamendment, Mr. Oliphant.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I was in favour of their amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

That is what you stated, yes.

I will go to Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Since no Liberal member came to me when the meeting was suspended, I'd like the wording of the amendment in French, please.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

There is a French version. It's exactly the same as in amendment G‑3 and that is to prohibit the provision of financial assistance. It's in the bundle containing amendment G‑3. This is to add to NDP‑3 these words from amendment G‑3: “prohibit the provision of financial assistance”.