Government Operations Committee on May 16th, 2006

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

It's a point of order that we're going to listen to.

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

I would like us to vote on the motion immediately, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

That's not a point of order, I think you have to wait until the debate is over. A point of order is not at calling the question.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I'm sorry the opposition doesn't even want to hear respectful intervention in this debate. It's clear, I guess, that the opposition prejudged this matter beforehand, as Madam Nash's disposition of the motion would indicate.

Once again, as I overheard Mr. Layton saying here on my way into the building this morning, and I was quite shocked, that Peggy Nash's quote is going to tear him apart--

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

This is not before the committee.

Mr. Kramp also wanted to say something, and then I will go to the opposition.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

But, Madam Chair, I'm sorry, it is before the committee. In the motion that's before the committee, it's my judgment that at least Madam Nash has prejudged this matter. She put this motion on notice last week--

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I don't know what that has to do with the actual motion that is before the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

We are debating the motion. Let's try to squeeze it down, because we have another committee waiting to use this room. I'm sure they're going to give us a little bit time, because they're enjoying this as much as everybody else, but I think we should try to conclude our business.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I'm going take a few minutes, Madam Chair, to make my point.

I haven't had 30 seconds yet, and I'm trying to speak respectfully.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

You've had more than that. I've been timing you.

Please continue.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Well, not 30 seconds without interruption, Madam Chair.

As I was saying, the motion before us was introduced last week, prior to the witness appearing before us. There's an old Jewish proverb that the judge who decides the case before having heard it is a fool. I hope we're not proven to be fools here today.

Madam Nash suggested in the media this weekend that it was simply a precautionary measure to put this motion before the committee before having heard Mr. Morgan and that she was acting in good faith and could just as easily withdraw the motion. I quite frankly question the veracity of that, having heard her leader today say before this meeting that she was going to “tear Mr. Morgan apart.”

Madam Chair, this is precisely relevant to my argument, that we should be careful. I encourage the opposition members to do their job aggressively, to hold the government to account, and so on, but I would encourage them to do so in a way that does not do permanent damage to the institutions of public service.

We have before us today a man who's been recognized by his peers as the leading business leader in Canada, who is willing to leave, I'm sure, a very pleasant retirement and work in what is probably close to a full-time job for $1 a year.

What we see here today, and I believe this is very significant, Madam Chair, is a 40-year career, reaching the height of Canadian business achievement, being characterized in the most vile terms possible--I think there are three members opposite who used the word “racist”--because of one line--

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

You have actually talked out your time now.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I wasn't aware of any time allocation, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

There are some limits to speaking. Five minutes is top, and you've been speaking for longer than that. I am the chair, sir, and five minutes is it. I will go on to Mr. Kramp. You spoke for longer than five minutes.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Madam Chair, where in the order...? I have a point of order, a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Sir, I am the chair, and I am ruling on this.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

It is a point of order, and you're obliged, as chair, to recognize a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

I'm recognizing your point of order.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Where is it in the orders of the committee that there is time allocation on debate on motions?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

There is time allocation on this committee--

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

For questions of witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

On this committee, we start off with seven minutes, we go five minutes, and then afterwards, when we are in a time crunch, we limit the amount of debate on an issue. And I can do that.

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

Could I ask you to consult with the clerk? I'd just like to know what the motion is that we have adopted as this committee in terms of time allocation for debate on motions. It's news to me. I've only been around here for nine years.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Why don't you challenge me, then, on the ruling?

[Jason Kenney, Conservative, Calgary Southeast, AB]

I've only been around here for nine years, Madam Chair. I'm just asking for a point of information.