Evidence of meeting #87 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was privacy.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Philippe Dufresne  Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

4:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

—so that instead of “when available”, it would read “within five business days”, as it was in the text.

There is a subamendment on the floor. I think I see the Liberals discussing it.

Brian, I'll recognize you, and then we might pause for a second so that there can hopefully be some discussions that will yield a consensus.

4:45 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Yes. I'll be really quick.

If we could get a date on this, I could support it and we could move forward. If we just have....

Again, we can't compromise witnesses in front of us by their not having the proper information of the intent of the law that we're trying to change. It's about them at the end of the day, not us. That's the unfortunate situation that we're put in. We're supposed to do this properly.

I'll support that if we get a timeline on it. If not, we'll just be wandering around, having people come in and out, knowing that they have to present and that the minister has some changes to the bill, but we don't know what they are, other than his testimony that you can read online. It just isn't helpful.

If we get a specific time, I'll support it.

4:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Thank you, Mr. Masse.

4:50 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

I was going to ask if we could have a very short recess, because there's a bit of confusion now.

4:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Yes, that's what I'm suggesting. Let's take a few minutes, because I see that there were discussions outside.

The subamendment that Mr. Perkins is proposing is to add a deadline.

We'll pause for a few minutes.

5 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

I call the meeting back to order.

We were on Mr. Perkins' subamendment to Mr. Turnbull's proposal.

However, I would like to start by thanking Mr. Dufresne, Ms. Ives and Mr. Maguire for being here. I apologize for the turn of events. These things happen in parliamentary life. I'm sure we'll have an opportunity to invite you back. Anyway, our study of Bill C‑27 has a long way to go, as you can see. Thank you very much. You're free to go, if you wish.

We can now resume debate on Mr. Perkins' subamendment.

To remind members, it was to modify what has been circulated by Mr. Turnbull and add a deadline that conforms with the original motion that Mr. Vis proposed.

Go ahead, Mr. Perkins.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

Mr. Chair, I know it's five days, but I'm open to an alternative date—just not one that is open-ended. If it's so open-ended, that will lead to the amendments not coming to committee until clause-by-clause study.

5 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Mr. Perkins, what is it exactly that you're proposing?

5 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

I propose five days. I'm looking at the government members to see if they have something in a very short, reasonable time that would give them a little more, or we could just deal with the subamendment. We'll move forward and—

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

We'll deal with your amendment to Mr. Turnbull's amendment, adding “five business days”.

Do you know how it would read, Mr. Perkins?

It would read, “provided that these documents be deposited with the clerk of the committee within five business days and that the minister return to speak to them”. It's implied that this would be at his earliest convenience, I'm guessing, but we can't set a deadline for the minister to appear.

That would be how it reads.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

I would say, “with the clerk of the committee”, strike out “when they are available”, and replace it with “five business days”.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

That's the amendment to Mr. Turnbull's amendment that Mr. Perkins is proposing. I see no speakers, so we'll move to a vote.

Is it clear to everyone what we're voting on?

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

Can you clarify, please, that we're voting on an extension of five days now? It's an amendment to the subamendment—it's an amendment to the subamendment to the amendment.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Mr. Turnbull has proposed an amendment. There is a proposed subamendment to Mr. Turnbull's amendment. When this is dealt with, we'll go back to Mr. Turnbull's amendment.

I don't believe there is consensus, looking at the room, so we'll move to a vote.

Mr. Lemire, you had your hand up.

5:05 p.m.

Bloc

Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

I would like a clarification. If I understand correctly, what we have in front of us right now is the complete motion, which includes the subamendments that we're about to vote on. Is that correct?

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Basically, what you got from the clerk was Mr. Vis's motion incorporating Mr. Turnbull's amendment. It was rewritten in its entirety because the amendment was substantial.

Mr. Perkins' proposed subamendment simply replaces “when they are available” with “within five business days”. At the end of the motion, there's a proposal for the minister to come back and speak to them.

5:05 p.m.

Bloc

Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Okay.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

We'll now vote on Mr. Perkins' subamendment.

(Subamendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

Mr. Turnbull's amendment is amended by Mr. Perkins' subamendment.

Are there any speakers on Mr. Turnbull's amendment as amended?

Seeing none, Madam Clerk, I will call for the vote.

(Amendment as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Go ahead, Mr. Turnbull.

5:10 p.m.

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON

I'd like to move that we adjourn today's meeting.

5:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

There is a motion to adjourn the meeting. Shall we put it to a vote?

5:10 p.m.

An hon. member

That's okay.

5:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

(Motion agreed to)

Finally there's unanimous consent.

5:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

5:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound

That's good.

Thank you very much, colleagues.

The meeting is adjourned.