Evidence of meeting #20 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 prorogation.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
I went by physical hands. I'm not seeing any hands raised in the toolbar at all.
Yes, Mr. Bittle.
January 28th, 2021 / 1 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
I was just going to echo the point of Ms. Vecchio. I've been trying to raise my hand as well. I guess I can just hope to be added to the list. I know we're running short on time, but if that can be done, I would greatly appreciate it.
1 p.m.
Liberal
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
I know that a number of colleagues want to speak, Madam Chair, so I'll stop there. I know that the “raise hand” function hasn't been working for them, but I sense that they want to speak.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
It's a little difficult for me to tell whether Mr. Turnbull is next or whether Mr. Bittle is. I don't know when you attempted to raise your hand—
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
I don't know. It's difficult. I didn't even see your physical hands go up, so I'm going to have to....
Mr. Clerk, Justin, were you able to tell?
1:05 p.m.
The Clerk
Madam Chair, I did note Ms. Vecchio's hand rising.
According to my list, I think it would be Ms. Vecchio next.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Thanks very much.
By no means do we want to filibuster today. This is a conversation that we have to have. As was indicated by both of the academics on at this very time, everybody has indicated that the only person who has the answer is the Prime Minister. We have done one day of prorogation study on this, so we have actually only heard from a few others.
Rather than get deep into a study and bring in a whole bunch of academics, let's just get to the bottom of it. Then we'd be able to finish the study, if we actually get the answers. Rather than bring in 20 to 30 different witnesses who are going to say very similar things, let's just get to the bottom of it. It's not that we need to have a vote today. I believe, if you look at many members of the committee today, specifically opposition members, we want to hear from the Prime Minister. He has the answer.
Thank you.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
That's understood.
Would the committee be okay with adjourning now? We have to clear the room for private members' business, but we will be discussing this on Monday evening.
Your motion is basically what's going to be discussed there. Then it can come back to the regular committee at the next meeting, if you wish, as well.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Madam Chair, we've seen what has happened in the past. When we adjourn this to another time and we go behind closed doors, Canadians don't get to see what really takes place. In fairness to Canadians, I think they should hear the outcome of this.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
We have many people on the speakers list. The thing is that you're not going to hear the outcome of this today, but you can have it in a public meeting, for sure.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
How about Monday, that meeting on Monday? Let's do it in public then.
1:05 p.m.
The Clerk
I was just going to indicate that the motion that has been moved would still be up for consideration at the next full meeting of the committee. The meeting on Monday night isn't of the full committee. It's the subcommittee. If there is no resolution at the subcommittee, the issue can always be brought back and the discussion picked up again at the next full committee meeting, or whenever the committee would like to do it.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
We can absolutely have the discussion in public, if that's the wish, but we have to clear the room for the private members' business committee now. That was all they told me, that we had a few extra minutes, and we've gone past them.
We're going to be discussing this—that's for sure—on Monday and then maybe even into the future, if needed.
1:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota
Thank you.
Thank you to our witnesses. Thank you for your patience through all the troubles today, the technical difficulties. We really appreciate your patience. It's important for us to try to make sure we have interpretation in both official languages.
Thank you to the interpreters as well. I know that your jobs are not easy, and all these technical difficulties make it more so.
