Evidence of meeting #13 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
I don't object to you withdrawing my motion, since Ms. Folco is going to introduce a motion on the letter later.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
We could also amend your motion. For example, instead of saying that we summon the witnesses, we could say that we invite them.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
The clerk could send a letter, for example.
Does that suit you, gentlemen?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Would that be satisfactory if we amended her motion to say, rather than “summon”, that you write a letter to “invite” or something to that effect, which softens the whole thing?
Oui, madame.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Madam Chair, with regard to the motion on the date, I would like us to—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
We can do that afterwards. For the moment, the motion under consideration must be withdrawn or amended. You can't amend yourself.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I understand the idea behind what Madame Bourgeois is trying to do.
As I indicated earlier, my feeling is that the summons is certainly out of order. These people have indicated their willingness to be here. Let's go on that.
Writing a letter is giving a clear signal that this is somehow a different category than other witnesses we call. It gives another message. I would be opposed to anything other than what our clerk has already done. He's indicated that they're willing to appear on the 28th. Let's go with that, and let's proceed with business.
In addition, Madam Chair, we have witnesses here. We have business to be done. This is another example that this committee can't get its act together and can't focus on priorities. We need to get moving.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I say we call the question and move on and hear our witnesses so we can get something done today.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
I'd like to introduce an amendment to Ms. Bourgeois' motion. I haven't written it, but it would say something like this: We request that the Chair send a letter inviting the witnesses previously been named to appear before the committee on February 28 next.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
On the amendment to the motion that's before us, which I believe is to write a letter to invite them to come before the committee on the 28th, is there any debate?
Mr. Kramp.
Conservative
Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON
With respect, I'm against that idea. We have a time-honoured process here. We don't have difficulty with what is taking place. We are shortchanging the witnesses we have here today.
If we start going off on all these witch hunts, this is how this committee gets hijacked. We have a process. Let's stay with it. We understand the witnesses can't be here. If at some particular point the witnesses are deemed to be either in contempt and/or there is no wilful acknowledgement, then we have obviously have an opportunity for legalities that we can pursue. We can't “if” ourselves to death on everything here.
Let's get on with our normal process of this committee and get rid of this motion, because I think it's spurious, then deal with our witnesses who are here and give them the courtesy that they're respected.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Thank you.
Does anyone want to change the last motion?
Madame Folco.
Liberal
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Madam Chair, I am introducing a motion. I don't know whether it would be a motion or an amendment. Can we amend a motion that has previously been adopted? It seems to me we can't.
It would read as follows: That the committee meet to hear the witnesses on February 28 next. I would like the names of the witnesses to appear in the motion.
Conservative
James Moore Conservative Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC
Is it necessary to introduce a motion on that?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
We decided to hear them today. We passed a motion stating that we would study something else on the 28th. Perhaps it's a good thing to change the motion solely for that reason.