Evidence of meeting #17 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
1:55 p.m.
Bloc
Jean Dorion Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Mr. Chair, it had been agreed that we would deal with my three motions. However, I understand that you may want to move to simpler items since we have so little time left. I would like to make sure that this will not mean that consideration of my motions would be postponed indefinitely. Normally, I believe we should consider both motions at the next meeting.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Every member of every committee, this one included, has the right to move any motion at any time, even when witnesses are present. If the committee decides to accept those motions... As a member of the committee, you always have the right to move your motions at any time you find most appropriate.
1:55 p.m.
Bloc
Jean Dorion Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
I understand, Mr. Chair, but I would like to know if those motions would be dealt with soon. It seems to me that we had agreed that...
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Are you referring to motions relating to the offices of the Canadian Human Rights Commission or to other motions?
1:55 p.m.
Bloc
Jean Dorion Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
I am referring to the two motions I mentioned today. I suggest that we set a reasonable period of time to consider them. I would not want to exaggerate but I think 15 minutes for each would be reasonable.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
It is not up to the chair to set a time period to deal with motions. Any motion is the responsibility of its mover. You have to choose the best moment and that will based on...
The guy who introduces it--what do you call that?
1:55 p.m.
The Clerk
C'est le motionnaire.
1:55 p.m.
Bloc
Jean Dorion Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Since we have already decided to deal with them, it seems to me, logically, that we should continue to do so. However, in a spirit of cooperation, I am willing to accept that we deal with other simpler matters in the few minutes remaining. I am not a procedural expert but it would seem logical to me that we not use the excuse of lack of time to postpone indefinitely the consideration of motions that the committee had already agreed to deal with.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
You can put it on the floor at the next meeting. It's up to you. It's not my call to say when it should be done.
I see Mr. Marston.
1:55 p.m.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
I was just going to ask.... I presume these motions were submitted to the clerk with 48 hours' notice. They're open to be moved at the next meeting by the member. Presumably, if we have guest witnesses who are there, have been invited to come, at that point it would be following their testimony. That's been our approach right along.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
As a practical matter, we rarely have time after witnesses. This is a fundamental problem we have, that it's hard to find time. But the point I'm trying to make is, it's not my call. It's never the chair's call to say when motions should be introduced. If it's the will of the committee—and I'm not going to initiate or inhibit the committee making this decision—the committee could say let's set aside extra time at a specific time, but I won't act; I'll take direction from the committee on that matter.
I've already indicated we're going to have to make some adjustments in order to give time for this matter, because this is what happens. Although everybody is within their rights to move motions, they take time and the time isn't available for other things.
Mr. Sweet, and then we really are out of time, unless someone wants to move a motion to extend our sitting.
2 p.m.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
Mr. Chair, certainly I want to make sure that my words are not taken with any disrespect at all, because as you have said, and rightly so, every member has the right to move a motion and to interact with the committee as he or she sees fit. However, I think it is appropriate for us to think about the diminishment of our capability of getting on with the work on the schedule when we deplete our meetings on contentious issues that take debate.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
We are basically out of time, so I'm going to assume there's no further business and we are dismissed.
The meeting is adjourned.