Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on Dec. 12th, 2023

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I just want to get clarity. Because we started so late and we have a significant number of witnesses who set aside the time to appear, I think we have the opportunity to extend until 1:30 with reduced quorum. The rules allow for that if the committee decides to do that, right?

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

I have no objection if most of the committee agrees.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

It's just for asking questions of witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Excuse me. I need your attention, please.

Can you repeat that, please, Mr. Lake?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

I'm not actually calling for a vote on anything. I just want to clarify the rules.

If the committee decides to sit with reduced quorum for that extra half an hour, until 1:30, we don't have to have all members here just to ask questions of the witnesses. It will allow the witnesses to get more information on the record, given that we have some folks who have set aside a significant amount of time, and of course we were delayed by the vote today.

I'm just asking for clarity, which I think you've already given; if the committee decides to do that, we can. I don't need to waste more time on that now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

There are two things.

I would like to have the opinion of the members and the clerk, please, in order to rule on it.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Unfortunately, as much as I would like to be able to stay and question the witnesses until 1:30, we are scheduled until 1:00, and I have other meetings. I have other things that I have contributed to that I've said I would be at. Not to diminish from the testimony that the witnesses have brought forward, but we were scheduled until 1:00.

As you know, Mr. Chair, members of Parliament have very busy schedules that are very tight, and as a member of one of the smaller parties, I have additional duties that I actually have made commitments to already.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Ehsassi.

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

I want to echo Ms. McPherson's comments.

The reality is that it's a very busy time and very unfortunate that we started late because of the vote, but this happens often at committees.

Unfortunately, when members are not available, I think it's only fair that the committee adjourn. I'm not available, and I know Ms. McPherson isn't. I already informed Mr. Lake of this, and I don't think it's fair to continue. We should do the same as every other committee does.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Yes, Mr. Lake.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

I'm not really moving a motion right now, just recognizing the fact that.... Again, there's nothing contentious. There are no votes or anything that happened at this committee. It is simply an opportunity for those who can stay, and in respect of the witnesses, to continue to ask questions of them and have them give testimony that would help the committee if we were to continue.

There's no real motion to move right now, I don't think.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you, Mr. Lake.

Who is going to stay, and who is going to leave?

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Mr. El-Khoury, if I may, I think the golden rule of this committee has been that if there is anyone who is against that, then we cannot proceed with doing things in that particular manner.

In this particular case, I think several of us have indicated that we do have misgivings about it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Please, may I know who is going to stay and who is going to leave? Then I can get the opinion of the clerk.

Who is going to leave?

I count one, two, three, four....

Yes, Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, someone is going to have to come and replace me. As my colleague Ms. McPherson said, members from smaller parties have a larger workload.

That said, I am not sure I fully understand what is being proposed. We are told that some members will leave, but that some will stay to continue asking questions. I don't think we would even have a quorum. I don't think that's valid.

Mr. Clerk, I don't think we can keep House resources when there isn't even a quorum. It doesn't make sense.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you.

Yes, Ms. McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Just very quickly, I want to point out that we will have a report from this, and so we will, as members, be feeding into that report. If we're not here to listen to the testimony, then that testimony can't be included in the report.

From my perspective, it would be very inappropriate for the committee to continue.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

May I know who is leaving and who is staying, please?

Mr. Zuberi, are you leaving or staying?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Chair, I have other meetings after this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, are you leaving or staying?

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, I will have a substitute.

But whether there is one or not—

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

I'm covering for Mr. Genuis, so yes, I'm staying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Ms. Sidhu, are you leaving or staying?

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

No, but it doesn't change—

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

I'm staying.