International Trade Committee on June 21st, 2006

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Given Mr. LeBlanc's very legitimate proposal, we should proceed to the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, with Mr. Moreno as the first witness.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Mr. Julian, you can see that the witnesses are listed with the departmental officials first. It's the normal way to proceed. This would be highly unusual.

We have them seated at the table already, Mr. Julian. I would suggest we move ahead. We're not going to have time to handle this without an extension of the meeting.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

With respect, Mr. Chair, Mr. Moreno has come from El Salvador. If what you're saying—

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Well, it would really be good if everyone would think of these things before we get into an interference before the meeting.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

I request a vote on that issue.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Make a motion then, Mr. Julian.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Well, Mr. LeBlanc already has. He made it at the beginning of the meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

I didn't hear a motion.

Go ahead, Mr. LeBlanc.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Chairman, I understand it's perfectly in order for a committee to change its own agenda. I would therefore propose that the first witnesses to testify be from the Canadian Council for International Co-operation. We would then proceed down the list as it is before us, after we hear from them first.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Are you suggesting we have these witnesses one at a time?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Chairman, no. Mr. Chairman, you're now delaying the meeting.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

You understand exactly, Mr. Chairman--

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Please tell me, then, what you want here.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Let me repeat it for you again.

I would like the first witnesses, as we normally have at all the other meetings, the group that's given the first time slot, to be those who have come from El Salvador. That's all.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Okay, who are those witnesses? Let's see exactly who. Who are you referring to? Which witnesses? Do you want the last two witnesses to appear alone before this committee now, first?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Chair, “alone” is your word. All I'm saying is that when the speaking order is determined, we ask them to speak first, and then we go through the list as normal. That's all. Instead of them speaking last, they speak first, and then we go down the list. That's all.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

We understand that now, but it was not clear in the beginning.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Okay, is it agreed by--

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Does it require unanimous consent to change the agenda?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

It would require a vote, if we want to go to a vote. Do you want us to proceed with a vote? Where is the motion?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

With a motion, or whatever you need to start talking.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Mr. LeBlanc, do you want to make that a motion, then?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Sure, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Is there discussion or debate on this motion to have the last witness speak first?