Procedure and House Affairs Committee on April 3rd, 2014

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I'm already on a point of order.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I'll be on the list on the point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I have Mr. Lamoureux next, but it's past one o'clock, folks. This is when we were supposed to end, which is why....

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I know by personal experience this committee can keep on meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I always thought the chair had something to say about that, Mr. Christopherson. I just learned I get to pick committee rooms. I don't understand this part.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

On the same point of order, I guess....

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Lamoureux.

Look folks, are we going to go until 1:30 or what on this? I would like a little direction before I go further. I'm happy to adjourn and continue this at our next meeting. We started very late in the day.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

I think if we can just give another five minutes. I'd like to hear the response. Five more minutes...?

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Let's finish it. It shouldn't take that long.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Lamoureux has the floor next, Mr. Christopherson.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

I'm not as—

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I'm pointing it out that it's not too long a comment.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

—well prepared as Mr. Lukiwski is on this particular point of order. I just want to state what I believe is the obvious, Mr. Chair, and that is the fact that we are dealing with a motion at a time when we are attempting to deal with Bill C-23, which has some very strong timelines. By May 1, it all has to be passed through the system. It concerns me greatly. I wouldn't want to see anything that would interfere with that.

As for the motion itself, I can understand the leader of the official opposition has been ethically challenged on this particular issue, and he will get his day before the committee, I understand, before May 16. If there are motions of this nature it might be best to have them debated thoroughly if it's ruled as being in order effective May 2, after we have actually dealt with what is the most important bill, I would argue, this committee has had to deal with for many years.

I would suggest to you that we just move on, and leave it at that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you for the guidance, Mr. Lamoureux.

Mr. Christopherson, you have a couple of seconds, please.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thanks.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Chair, I'm sorry. I'm wondering procedurally....

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

He's on your point of order. You have done a point of order. He gets to also speak to it.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

My question would be if you know now when you would be planning to rule on my point of order as to the admissibility.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

As soon as the folks are all done giving me their wisdom.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

He needs to hear from all of us our opinion on your point, and then....

You still accept that we get an opinion I'm assuming, Mr. Lukiwski.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

I would never deny you the right to your opinion because it wouldn't do me any good anyway.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Ad nauseam no less sometimes....

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

It wouldn't do me any good anyway.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I've seen days of your opinions, Mr. Christopherson. Would you like to give me just a little bit shorter version?