Procedure and House Affairs Committee on May 31st, 2016

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Who do you want to give me?

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I'm just trying to understand. The chief government whip is not a member of the executive council...well actually he is, so I take it back. I'm just trying to find who would be the responsible ministerial—

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

I think we should research—

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Can we get back to you on that?

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Agreed. I was watching the clock.

Where are we?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

They'll get back to you on that when they find out who's responsible.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

It appears that it's on the Privy Council Office website.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

All right, and then the motion that some yet-unnamed person from the government appear before us to speak to what the policy is, then you can fill in the blank.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Okay. We know it is from the Privy Council Office; we will advise you once we get the right elected official.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

I appreciate that. I'm staying with the elected person, going with the idea that we're the ones who are front-line accountable. If you want to bring somebody else, let's talk about it, but I'd rather deal with other elected people right now.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

I guess I'd also point out that the whip was here during the discussion today for quite some time. He must have felt he had something to offer or to add in some way. There were some questions Mr. Christopherson had that I think would have been appropriately answered by him. He was the one who got up in the House and made the apology, which apparently wasn't an apology because now we're not sure if there was something to apologize for, but anyway, we'll determine that, I guess. He obviously felt he had something to add or something to contribute since he was here. I still think it would be advisable for him to be called.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

[Inaudible—Editor] and we'll just deal with calling the minister? You can decide whether you agree or disagree.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Yes. Bring some information. We'll deal with it at the next meeting.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Okay. We'll have something by Thursday.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Okay, I can live with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

We'll go back to Mr. Reid's motion.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Can we amend it to “the Minister of Justice”, to request the Minister of Justice?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

“...that the Minister of Justice be invited to appear as a witness as soon as possible before the committee”?

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Do we even do friendly amendments in Parliament or is that a Robert's Rules of Order thing?

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

You move it and I'll second it, okay?

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Fair enough. I think this makes it procedurally correct. I'll be happy to remove my last one and put this one forward. I don't know if seconding is necessary, but thank you, Mr. Chan.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

It's not necessary, but okay, I'll support it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

As soon as possible, right?

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

Yes, as soon as conveniently possible. We all understand she has some other stuff on her plate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay. Is there any discussion on the motion?

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Mr. Christopherson.