Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 2nd, 2023

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I would be glad to learn what you think our intentions are.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

I'm trying to figure it out.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes, but I look forward to seeing and hearing it, Madam Chair.

I simply wanted to say that at the end of the last panel's testimony, you gave the floor to Mr. Cooper. That was followed by two points of order. You then kindly and correctly asked that the meeting be suspended to allow the witnesses to leave. Since that request seemed perfectly legitimate, Mr. Cooper agreed while assuming he would have the floor again when the meeting resumed.

Mr. Cooper was going to introduce a motion to resume debate after it was interrupted by the two points of order, which called for releasing the witnesses. However, at no point did Mr. Cooper agree to give up the floor or let someone else speak.

Therefore, in my view, we must pick up where we left off, namely, with Mr. Cooper. That is my understanding based on how we left things a little earlier. I hope that we can resume our deliberations in good faith and in that manner.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you for your comments on that, Mr. Berthold.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

On a point of order, Madam Chair, I just emphasize that after six hours of work yesterday we came this close to dealing with the motion that had been on notice in advance, in priority of Mr. Julian's.

Now, we can do what is reasonable and try to deal with the business of yesterday that was interrupted by Mr. Julian last night and dispense with it with a vote on my subamendment, get to Mr. Julian's amendment, get to my main motion, and then take up Mr. Julian's motion.

It's perfectly reasonable, after all, if Mr. Julian is sincere that he wants Katie Telford to appear before this committee. Then I would submit that he would very much welcome dealing with my very minor subamendment, letting the committee vote on it and then take up his amendment.

What I proposed in my subamendment is setting up a panel with the chiefs of staff, the national campaign directors of all the parties. The only chief of staff who wouldn't be present would be Ms. Telford. If it doesn't pass, it doesn't pass.

I'm not trying to tie this committee up. I would like to deal with Mr. Julian's motion that is on notice today, but in order to do so, I think it's only reasonable, having regard for the amount of time and debate that went into the motion yesterday, that we, as expeditiously as possible—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

What standing order is being violated right now, Madam Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

I think, Mr. Cooper, you've made your point. Mr. Berthold has made his point. I appreciate everybody's points.

We'll go back to the meeting.

Mr. Julian, you have the floor.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would like to move that.... This is about the national public inquiry—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Mr. Julian, I'm sorry—

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I don't understand why the Conservatives don't want a national public inquiry—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Mr. Julian, you actually have the floor. Because Mr. Berthold is choosing to move another point of order, the floor will be returned to you because you have the floor.

What we talked about earlier, before we get into points of order that are not actually points of order.... Three, almost four hours ago, I suggested that if we wanted to be reasonable and find a path forward, we should be talking to each other and finding that path forward. Clearly, something was not able to happen, and that's why we are having this here. If we want to be reasonable, as people who are choosing to use words as convenient to them, we can get to our work and get it all done. That's the way the committee has always operated.

Mr. Julian, rest assured that you have the floor. If somebody is concerned with this, they know the standing orders and how they can proceed.

We have Mr. Berthold on a point of order.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

I challenge the chair on that ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

You are welcome to appeal it.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Can we get clarification on the ruling? The ruling is that Mr. Julian has the floor. Is that the ruling? We're voting on whether it shall be sustained.

(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 6; nays 5)

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

The ruling has been sustained.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

I have a point of order. There's no volume in the room.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Mr. Julian, you have the floor.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I understand the Conservative opposition—

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

There's no volume on the feed. That is what I understand.

I have a point of order. There's no volume on the feed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Mr. Julian, one more time, there is no—

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

There is no volume on the feed. That is what I've been advised. It's the English feed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

When somebody speaks in French, you can't hear it in English.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

That's correct.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Can we just test the English feed? There is no volume on the English feed.