Evidence of meeting #59 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I just want to say that I think we are all united around the committee table in terms of understanding and recognizing how serious both of those issues are: the issue of bilingualism and the issue of making sure that departments respond to the requests of this committee.
I support Madame Vignola's subamendment and request to have that included in the report.
I would put forward an additional step, if that's okay, or an intermediary step, before we send the report to the House to give, again, the relevant ministries an opportunity to comply. What I would suggest is that we explicitly state in the communication.... What I'd like to see is a letter, correspondence to the ministries, informing them of our intent to bring this report to the House so that the ministries understand that the committee is prepared to take the step to bring this forward directly to the House of Commons. It would signal the seriousness of the situation, and it would also give the ministries a clear understanding of what our intent is and what we are prepared to do in terms of the next step. It also gives them an opportunity to comply.
It's an added step. It's responsible, it's pragmatic and, again, it clearly communicates to the departments how seriously we're taking this. It clearly signals that our intent is to bring this issue up before the House, and it gives them a final opportunity to comply.
I think that is something sensible, so I wanted to bring that forward for the committee's consideration.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I appreciate that, Mr. Kusmierczyk.
We are discussing, though, the amendment to Mr. Barrett's motion. We can deal with that, and then come back to you for that, but it's off the issue of the amendment.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
First, the documents shouldn't be showing up here unless they're in both official languages. I'm sorry, but this is not acceptable.
We've already extended this thing and it's been drawn out, so what is Mr. Kusmierczyk proposing in terms of how much more time he's hoping to give them? We've given them a month.
Are you talking a few days, or what does it look like?
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
My suggestion would be two weeks. In that case, I want them to be fully informed of what our intent is, what our next steps are, so they comply with this request. It gives them an opportunity—a final one.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I appreciate that, Mr. Johns.
Mr. Kusmierczyk, I appreciate the feedback.
We really need to move back to the motion at hand.
Mr. Barrett, go ahead.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
If we could address the two motions that are on the table, the amendment and the motion, that would be great.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I would suggest we do that. Let's address the amendment and then we can go back.
On the amendment Mrs. Vignola put forward, I sense that we're all in favour.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Now we're on the motion as amended. Is anyone against?
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
But I want to come back, Mr. Chair.
I have no objection, if we're actually referring the matter to the House, to adding the language Mr. Barrett proposed, but I want to make sure, as per Mr. Kusmierczyk's suggestion, which is similar to what I said before, that this goes back to the departments with the letter from you. The House isn't sitting for two weeks, so giving them the two extra weeks before the House resumes before referring it to the House seems normal.
I want to understand how that would be voted on.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I think we have to be clear on that before we can get to Mr. Kusmierczyk's suggestion.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I want to make sure it's not unreceivable at the point that we adopt the wording from Mr. Barrett, which says that we're referring it to the House. I want to make sure that by adding those words, we're not putting ourselves in a position where we cannot say a precursor to this would be doing this, because then the report would have to change, obviously.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Yes, I understand what you're saying, but no, it doesn't. We accept the amendment, and we vote on the original motion, but that's not the vote to send it to the House.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Sure. It reads:
The right to institute inquiries and demand papers is one of the privileges of the House of Commons as a collectivity.
Accordingly, the committee wishes to draw the attention of the House on what appears to be a breach of its privileges and/or a possible case of contempt of Parliament and recommends the House to take measures it deems appropriate.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Are we fine on that, then? Can we move forward?
I see that's the will of the committee.
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Mr. Barrett, go ahead.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
It's really important, I think, based on the time period that we won't be here.... If we're going to be hung up on giving a fifth or sixth opportunity or whatever it is for the departments, and signal an awareness, and if the committee wants to give that direction, I think we should also have a trigger point. For any departments that have not provided the documents in accordance with the order of the committee by the date the committee decides, let's say by April 10, the report is referred to the House.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Every department has another opportunity, and then, if anyone has failed to comply, the House is notified.
I'm just looking for a compromise before we run out of time, Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Do you mind just repeating that? The clerk and I were conferring about one last thing that we have to make a change on. I'll bring it up after you.
Go ahead.