Health Committee on June 15th, 2020

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Chair, I just wanted to clarify some comments made earlier by some of my colleagues.

Yes, I understand how email works. Yes, I know how to sort your email and how to sort subject lines, etc., but my concern is around the scope and the scale of these types of discussions and the volumes that would be added to the review. When I take a look at the datelines that are imposed on this motion, I think it's virtually impossible to thoroughly go through all of that information, and I genuinely believe that the other documents that have not been taken out of the motion would be sufficient to come to a conclusion.

I fully support transparency, and I think it can be achieved with the documents that are being requested.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Mr. Van Bynen.

Seeing no more interventions—

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

One more point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Is it a point of order or...?

[Len Webber, Conservative, Calgary Confederation, AB]

It's a point of order on an earlier comment from Mr. Desilets from Quebec.

You know, you talk about Mr. Jeneroux making, as you say, cheap comments. I think that requires an extraction as well, and an apology there, too, if you're asking for an apology.

Mr. Chair, we are bickering here and it is ridiculous. Let's just move on with the vote. Making comments like that is just inappropriate. If you're going to criticize others, just think about what you say as well, through the chair.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Mr. Webber.

Once again, I remind everyone to be aware of and duly recognizant of the correct protocol and courtesy.

Seeing no further interventions, I will ask the clerk to conduct the vote on the amendment.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Is there any debate or comment on the motion as amended?

Mr. Kelloway, please go ahead.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if it's the right time, but speaking of timing, can I speak to the timeline of August 10 or would that be something separate?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Yes, it is in order at this point. The motion—

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Can I make a point of order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Go ahead, Dr. Powlowski.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

There was already the suggestion by Mr. Van Bynen that there was a need for an “and” in there. If we're going to amend it further, are we going to deal with this issue next?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The amendment has already passed as moved by Mr. Thériault. If you require further amendments, we have to move further amendments.

I believe Mr. Kelloway was in the process of asking a question.

If you wish to talk about the timeline, Mr. Kelloway, it would be appropriate to do so now.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Okay, wonderful.

In terms of the documents being submitted by August 10, given many of the points that have been made this afternoon in terms of timelines and the volume and girth of documents to be reviewed, I'm wondering if it would be helpful to extend the timeline by two weeks, to the end of August, to enable staff to do the work they need to do, which will be quite a lot.

I'd put forth an amendment for discussion to extend the deadline for producing said documents to by or on August 31.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The amendment is to modify the timeline and change the date to August 31.

We will go to debate on the amendment.

Mr. Paul-Hus.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I think the deadline that was chosen is acceptable. If the government can't turn over the documents within the time frame set by the committee, it's up to the government to request an extension. Bear in mind that the situation at the border is very pressing. Bear in mind, as well, that Canada could experience a second wave of COVID-19. All that to say, I think it's important to speed things up. I know working remotely isn't easy, but the fact of the matter is that public servants, the people responsible for doing this work, have access to the information and the ability to provide it, even if they have to work from home. I think August 10 is a reasonable deadline if people get to work.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you.

Mr. Fisher, go ahead.

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just want to get clarification on Mr. Kelloway's amendment. Is he saying “on” August 31 or is he keeping the words the same as what Mr. Paul-Hus had moved, “no later than” August 31?

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

I was thinking “on”, Mr. Fisher.

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

If all the subject matter is put together prior to the 31st, you want it held until the 31st?

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

That's a good question. My original intent was to have it submitted on August 31.

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Thank you for that clarity.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Dr. Powlowski, please go ahead.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Well, now you have me confused. I think the amended version is “on”. Can we clarify that? Is “on” what we're debating now?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The debate is on the amendment as provided by Mr. Kelloway.

Maybe I'll ask Mr. Kelloway to restate his amendment.