Evidence of meeting #1 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Thank you for your views, Mr. Therrien.
We have Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Gerretsen, Mr. Alghabra and Mr. Doherty.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
I'm still struggling to understand Mrs. Vecchio's motion because it was so long and she read it so quickly. Mrs. Vecchio must have practised reading that quickly, because I couldn't comprehend it as it was lightning-fast.
I would appreciate an opportunity to sit down and actually read it through and really understand it. There seem to be all kinds of things in there and I'm not sure how they are related to prorogation. From my perspective, the prorogation seemed to be very clear. The mandate our government had from the people and the context had shifted dramatically, and prorogation seemed to be an opportunity to reset. I think that was a very clear message.
I'm not sure how this is getting linked to a whole bunch of other documents and questions that you have, but I certainly feel that's implied in the way this motion has been crafted. I would like to pick that apart, ask questions about it and have the opportunity to debate it, just to make sure we are fully clear before we vote on anything.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Seeing that it's 5:32, would the committee be okay with giving me a little bit of time to take this motion under advisement and come back with a decision at the next meeting?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Corey Tochor Conservative Saskatoon—University, SK
Why can't we deal with this tonight? We can take a break for the votes. The motion is on the floor, and this is what we have to address first.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Madam Chair, it's not your prerogative to decide how a committee deals with a motion. It's the committee's prerogative—
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
I was asking if you'd be okay with my seeing if the whole motion, as is, would be in order under the mandate of this committee. I do see how large parts of it are, so I'm leaning that way; I definitely am. I just want to be able to read the whole thing and have advice from the clerk on that as well, and you would have my commitment to get back to you on this at the next meeting.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Why can't we suspend for the votes and come back after the votes?
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Perhaps if you consider.... So we can just suspend, rather than adjourn and then come back at another meeting date, which could be tomorrow or the next day.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Maybe the clerk can clarify this. The chair can suspend the meeting at any time. Is that not correct?
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
The Clerk
The committee would suspend with the consent of the committee or the committee's suggestion that it suspend.
There are Standing Orders. There is a standing order related to what happens when the bells are ringing to call members to a vote, which is essentially akin to an automatic suspension for the time it takes for you to be called to the chamber, or in this case virtually as well, to vote. Once the voting is done, you come back to the meeting and the meeting resumes.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
I am just going to say that I understand.
Ryan, I do speak quickly—that's just what I do. I am happy to go more slowly if you want me to and I can do clause-by-clause if you want to go through it and discuss it until the bells start to ring. I don't know if there will be much time, but if you want to go through it clause by clause, I'd be happy to work with you.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
We have an hour before the bells. Why can't we try to come to some form of resolution right now? A majority of the committee is in support of this.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
On a point of order, is there a speakers list? I'm just checking.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Yes, there is a speakers list.
Justin, until what time do we have the room, so I can plan accordingly?
5:35 p.m.
The Clerk
I'm still checking on that. We can continue to go for the time being, but I'm trying to get a precise indication just how long the committee can go. I'm trying to get that information and as soon as I have something definitive, I'll let you know.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Okay, so at this point we could go until 6, seeing as the bells are going to be going off at 6. Then, I don't know whether we have the room again. I know there were some suggestions made to come back tonight. That is why I am saying that if you leave this in my court, I could take a look at this and we could come back at the very next opportunity where we could have a room available.
Yes, Mr. Doherty.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative