Evidence of meeting #4 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vote.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
That was my question. I want to know if I could introduce a new motion. If I can, rest assured, I will.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I still would like to set the record straight.
I hope we all realize that, as a matter of procedure, we have just blithely ruled out calling the minister to appear on a very important issue.
With respect to my subamendment, I recall that I had my hand up on the screen when the vote was taken on Mr. Long's amendment, but I was told that the vote was in progress.
It's neither black nor white, however. Some errors in procedure were made, but after the break you told me, Mr. Chair, that you were prepared to consider the subamendment. I understand that we do not have a consensus on that. I am therefore prepared to put forward a new motion.
Mr. Chair, could you please give me a moment?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay. Thank you, Madame Chabot.
We will proceed, then, with Madame Chabot's introducing the new motion.
Madame Chabot, whenever you are ready....
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, my understanding is that we cannot debate two motions at a time. We need to go back to the motion at hand before going to another motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Madam Clerk...?
I'm sorry, Madame Ferrada. I meant that Madame Chabot would introduce a new amendment. It's an amendment.
Madame Chabot, you have the opportunity to introduce a new amendment.
Thank you, Madame Ferrada.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
You aren't making it easy for me, so I must put forward a new amendment.
The wording of the new amendment will be in the same spirit as what I thought I had made clear was a subamendment, but perhaps I wasn't clear enough.
My amendment will therefore be to invite the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development for the first hour and Service Canada officials for the second hour on Monday, January 31.
Is that clear?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madame Chabot.
I'm going to ask the clerk to give us direction, so that everybody is clear on where we're going.
We have an amendment by Mr. Long that was voted on and now the committee is considering an amendment by Madame Chabot.
Is Madame Chabot able to amend her motion?
The Clerk
Ms. Chabot cannot amend her motion. Her original motion is still being debated by the committee.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Can Madame Chabot proceed by making an amendment to Mr. Long's amendment?
The Clerk
There was a vote on the amendment by Mr. Long, and it was decided upon. The committee is returning to the debate on the main motion, which is the original motion moved by Madame Chabot.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
The committee has heard the procedural direction.
Madame Chabot, it does not appear that you can move an amendment to your motion.
Go ahead, Mr. Ruff.
Conservative
Alex Ruff Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
We got that Madame Chabot can't do it.
It's clear—
Conservative
Alex Ruff Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
The amendment has been passed and you're not rescinding it. Again, I express my concern about misusing procedure.
When we go back to the original motion to vote on it, I'll be confused. Based on the amendment, I don't know how we.... I guess we can still do it; it's just because there's no timeline in the original motion. If we pass the original motion, the minister would still be forthcoming, if I understand that correctly.
If not, I'd like some clarity on that procedurally as we debate this and vote on the main motion. I'm more than willing to move the subamendment that Madame Chabot has proposed to the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Madame Clerk, I believe any other member of the committee could move an amendment and it would be voted on. As it was indicated, the mover of a motion cannot amend their motion.
Mr. Ruff, do you want to make a similar amendment?
Conservative
Alex Ruff Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
I'm willing to make that amendment, but I'm still trying to understand this.
Procedurally, if we vote on the main motion and it passes, because there are no specific timelines directed from that, if I remember from what was emailed to everybody.... There is a timeline. It's no later than February 4 for those ministers to appear.
My assumption is that we'll get exactly what Madame Chabot wants and we'll get what Mr. Long wants. We'll get the officials appearing here on Monday, and then we'll get the ministers appearing no later than the fourth. Both could work here; we can get the amendment that's already passed and we can still get the original motion adopted.
If that isn't the case and I've misunderstood that, I am willing to move the new amendment to the amendment or the amendment to the main motion, whatever it is, to make this happen to go forward. I guess it's not a subamendment to the amendment, because it's already been voted on; it would be an amendment to the main motion. I think the main motion is still in order and it doesn't take away from the amendment that was made.
Liberal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
I’m sorry, but I’m quite confused at the moment about procedure, and I think several other committee members are as well. Would it be possible to ask the clerk to read the motion as amended by the adopted amendment?
I'd like us to start again.
Reset the clock on the motion that has been voted on with the amendment. We can then proceed and see if other members want to present an amendment to the motion already adopted with the amendment, and we can move forward and get everybody on the same page.
Does that make sense?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madam Ferrada. That's where I was going to go.
We do have an amendment that was voted on and carried. I'm going to ask the clerk to read the motion as amended.
Madam Clerk, take it slowly.
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, just by way of clarification, the vote on the amendment by Mr. Long was five yeas and six nays. It was defeated. That was the amendment by Mr. Long. As such, we will be returning back to the original motion of Madame Chabot.
