Evidence of meeting #107 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was travel.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Sorry, Chair, but on a point of order, I had my hand up to speak next and it was interjected with someone else wanting to speak.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
I simply asked that he be put on the list. That's all. I was not indicating that nobody else could speak.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Okay. We'll go with Mr. Richards, Mr. Bittle, Mr. Genuis, and Mr. Nater.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, despite any characterizations that they've tried to make otherwise, we're in this situation because this government is trying to change the election laws of this country, and they're trying to do it in such a way that certainly there is much question as to whether this benefits themselves. Also, in doing that, they're trying to ram it through Parliament.
If you recall, when we were in the very short period of time that was given for debate in the House of Commons at second reading, after one hour of debate this government decided to move a notice of time allocation. That means shutting down debate: there was one hour for debate on the legislation that governs our elections in this country, that decides the rules by which the people of Canada choose their representatives in Parliament.
This government somehow believes that one hour of debate is enough time on something of that significance. Of course, that was not something that was acceptable to those of us in the opposition; however, they moved time allocation, and in the debate that occurred for 30 minutes thereafter, the Minister of Democratic Institutions was questioned numerous times—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
I have a point of order, Blake. We have to tell the subcommittee of the liaison committee.... They're ready to either meet or go home. We have to give them some direction. There are four speakers on the list.
They could meet first thing in the morning, but we have to give them some direction. They're all sitting here. We can't keep them for.... We don't know how long people are going to talk, but there are three people on the list.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
Well, I have a lot to say, I can tell you that, and I think that until this government starts listening they might not want to make too many plans.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
On that point, it seems that the Conservatives are in the mood to discuss the issue, and perhaps it's wise to just let the—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
To let the subcommittee go...?
Is anyone opposed? Okay, the subcommittee can—
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
Well, I'm not sure. What are you asking when you're asking if anyone is opposed?
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
I believe that the committee should meet and approve travel for this committee so that we can hear from Canadians, but this government is saying “unless we're allowed the ability to also ram the bill through, we won't allow that”. I certainly don't think that the committee should not meet. I think they should, but the government is refusing to allow that to happen.
I don't know what you do, Mr. Chair [Inaudible—Editor]
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
There's one person who thinks the subcommittee should stay.
Is there anyone else?
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
I don't think it's very kind to them to have to sit through....
I see that they have a lot to say and, as they have a right to say it, this could go on for I don't know how long.
You say you have “a lot to say”. Does that mean an hour? Two hours? Would you keep a subcommittee waiting for that long, just sitting here with no resolution in sight?
I've proposed my motion.
Conservative
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Unless we're ready to vote on it, have a conclusion, and tell the subcommittee whether we're going or not going, then....
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
The only people who want to keep them sitting here is the government, because the government wants to—
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
No. My vote would be to let them go if this is not going to resolve any time soon.
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Banff—Airdrie, AB
The government does not want to approve travel. If the government approved travel, they could deal with that.
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
As the chair has pointed out, they could meet in the morning, so we definitely are interested in moving forward with the study on this legislation, and with travel, hopefully, but if we don't have some resolution for them any time soon to decide on, I just do not feel right about having members of the subcommittee sit here and listen to all of this discussion that we're about to have.
