Government Operations Committee on June 19th, 2023

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I'm advised you have to decide, Mr. Fergus, whether you wish to proceed with G-11 or G-12.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Then we'll start with G-11, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Do you wish to address it, Mr. Fergus, or are you done and we'll go to Ms. Vignola?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

I'm really done. It speaks for itself. This is an amendment that would allow the bill to come into force through the Governor in Council, taking into account all the elements that are here. Things that are done that can be implemented quickly will get implemented quickly. Those that require some working out of whatever budget implications that there are would come into force later.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks, Mr. Fergus.

Go ahead, Mrs. Vignola.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I'll be brief.

On amendment G‑12, I feel two years is a very long time. I would prefer six months to 12 months. If it were six months, it would probably mean that the bill would receive royal assent around June of next year, after third reading and consideration by the Senate.

As for amendment G‑11, I don't agree, because the decision could be postponed indefinitely. I can't accept that the order be postponed indefinitely.

By setting a date for royal assent, whether it be six, 12 or 24 months, depending on what we decide, that would enable the machine to put in place what it needs to enforce the provisions set out in the bill. It would also set out a clear timeline. If the date were set by order in council, the timeline wouldn't be as clear. We would rely on the goodwill, or ill will, of the government in power at the time.

I certainly don't agree with amendment G‑11. I am more open to amendment G‑12 than amendment G‑11.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Is there anyone else?

We'll have a recorded vote.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Chair, can I just ask for a precision?

G-11 is coming into force by GIC, which Mrs. Vignola was against. Is that correct?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That's correct, but we're voting now, Mr. Housefather.

I'm sorry. You missed your opportunity, because we're voting now.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Thank you.

(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

We'll try to get to G-12 before we have to adjourn in a couple of moments.

Mr. Fergus.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Again, this will come into force two years after royal assent.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mrs. Vignola, do you wish to address that?

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I just stated my opinion. I feel that 24 months is a long time. I could move a friendly amendment to make it six months. Under the current bill passage process, it would receive royal assent around September. That would give the officials time to put in place what they need.

Do I need to draft the motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mrs. Vignola, I'm going to suggest, seeing as we're past our hard stop of 6:15, that perhaps you put that in writing, and we will address that at our next meeting.

Colleagues, before I adjourn, I'm going to seek some resources to see if we can fit in some time tomorrow. I'll advise everyone late tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning, if we can continue Bill C-290.

If there's nothing else, we will adjourn, and I will see everyone on Wednesday, or perhaps tomorrow. I'll let everyone know first thing in the morning. Watch your emails. Thank you very much.

Thank you again for your help, Ms. Laroche, Ms. Stevens and legislative clerks.

The meeting is adjourned.