Evidence of meeting #39 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was forward.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
That the motion.... In fact, it would have been good if we'd had the motion in writing and in front of us.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Basically you don't have a problem with the first part of the motion, that the committee invite the minister as soon as possible to explain his decision to ignore the motion agreed to by the committee on October 26, 2006. On the second part of the motion, that the committee conduct a comprehensive study on the deregulation of telecommunications and that the committee report to the House, your amendment is to....
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
To split the motion. In the first part, have the minister come forward as soon as possible. Quite honestly, I think the second part of that motion should wait until after the minister is here, to hear what he has to say and the justifications for what he's done.
If that isn't the will, then obviously I can't support that second part, but I certainly want to be able to be part of moving ahead and having the minister come forward.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Mr. Shipley has moved an amendment. I'm advised there are no friendly amendments, so this is an amendment.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I'm advised that we can have debate on the amendment. As chair, I would advise you that we do have votes. I'm not really certain what we're going to accomplish by more debate, but this can be debated.
Is there any debate on the amendment?
4:35 p.m.
An hon. member
Question.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
On the main motion, Mr. Carrie wants a recorded vote, as does Mr. McTeague.
(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; nays 4)
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We will write to the minister and ask him to appear before the committee as soon as possible. My understanding is that he is very open to doing that.
As Mr. Masse indicated, we will have the meeting on Wednesday on manufacturing. In terms of the timetable, we would have to start this on February 5. We will ask the minister if he is available at that time. As Monsieur Crête said, we cannot demand he appear; he has to appear at a time of convenience to him as well. We will have to have future business in terms of exactly what this study entails. Perhaps we can do that on Wednesday at the end of our manufacturing session. We would likely go in camera for that.
I'm asking members of the committee to come forward with names of witnesses they want to see in terms of this study. If you can bring that forward on Wednesday, that would be very helpful.
I see we have one or two lobbyists in the room. I'm sure you will all be informed, so if you would like to appear, please submit your names to the clerk as soon as possible.
Monsieur Crête, you had a point.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I would simply like to point out to the government that because of his actions, the Minister achieved the exact opposite of what he was hoping for. Had he been receptive at the time, he would have obtained the committee's opinion and either accepted or rejected its recommendations. Because of his actions, there will be study that could well be completed after March 1, because the motion that was adopted makes no reference to a March 1 deadline.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We'll meet on Wednesday. We'll start with manufacturing, as I'd like to finish it up as soon as possible. Then we'll go in camera to do future business for this study.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Regarding the manufacturing sector, have we received accompanying notes from the various parties? We have submitted our notes. I was wondering if the other parties had done likewise within the agreed-to timeframe.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
No, they will be distributed Wednesday along with the report. If the other parties haven't yet submitted them, then they are late in doing so.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
We do want to finish this manufacturing study. Obviously, we'd like to table it in the House as soon as possible. If there are any suggestions or amendments they want to make, it would be helpful to do that at the meeting. But if there is anyone who has any objections, it would be even more helpful to let me know beforehand. We'd obviously like to finalize it on Wednesday, and my hope would be to table it early the next week.
Thank you, members. This meeting is adjourned.