Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 31st, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

As part of that subcommittee, I don't want to take that responsibility on. They all probably have merit, and I don't want to make that decision.

Madam Crowder.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, there may be a way to compromise on this. I would agree that it has to come to the committee, but I still think it would be helpful if the subcommittee met to look at the witness list. Knowing that the intent of this committee is to have briefer hearings, the subcommittee could come back with a more concrete, structured proposal for this committee, because we're all over the map right now. If we have something more specific to deal with, it would be far easier for us to make a decision.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Okay. I'm going to split the motion.

The first part of the motion is that we refer this to the subcommittee.

All those in favour, please signify.

[Gary Merasty, Liberal, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Is that in favour only of sending it to the committee, with no timelines?

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Yes. I'm splitting the motion.

There are two parts to this motion. The first part is that the witness list be submitted to the subcommittee to prioritize the witnesses. The second part of the motion is that we have only two sessions to discuss Bill C-292.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Chair, I agree with a reasonable timeframe, if it's a friendly agreement, and we can make a motion....

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

To expand that to whatever.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Yes. As Ms. Neville mentioned, we don't have to drag it out. We could have a reasonable timeframe, so that we can move forward with other priorities.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Well, I would look for an amendment for that, then.

Madam Crowder.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

I'll amend it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

To say what?

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

To “a reasonable timeframe”, with some recommendations from the subcommittee back to this committee so that the committee has the final say.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

So you're not going to be specific, but just use the word “reasonable”?

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

That could mean different things to different people, but anyway, we'll work with it.

I'm going to split this first. We're changing the amendment to use the word “reasonable” instead of saying “two weeks”.

All in favour of that amendment, please signify.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Can we have the motion with that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Okay. The first part of the motion I'm dealing with is the amendment to change from “two weeks” and insert the words “reasonable time”.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

I thought the first part was to refer it to committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

I'm not there yet. We have an amendment to the motion. Let's deal with that first.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Are you all agreed to changing it from “two weeks” to “a reasonable time”?

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Now we're looking at the amended motion, and I'm going to split it. The first part of that motion is that it be referred to the subcommittee.

Is there discussion on that? Are you ready for the question?

All those in favour, please signify.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Is the question that you report back here for finalization or that they're going to make the final call?

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

It's to report back.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

When will they report?