Evidence of meeting #15 for International Trade in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Good afternoon, everyone. We're here today, pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), to deal with the softwood lumber agreement.
Before we start, I'd like to say that in the notice I had this meeting as an in camera meeting, but there's really no need to do that. When you're dealing with future business of the committee, it's normally in camera. If the committee would like, we can make it a public meeting. Would you agree to that?
3:05 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Okay, we'll do that. So if any media want to be here, they don't have to move away.
We'll go on, then, to the other agenda items.
Yes, Ms. Guergis.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome, colleagues. It's great to see you all again so soon.
We have a motion on the floor, Mr. Chair, that we haven't dealt with, with respect to confidence in your position here. I think this brings a certain level of uncertainty to the table, and I would really like to deal with this motion immediately. I add that I do think you have done an exceptional job. I do want to point out that I support your position, but I do think we should be dealing with that motion immediately. In fact, I would ask that the motion be withdrawn.
3:05 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Well, as you know, Mr. Chair, it is just a notice of motion. It's not moved at the committee level until such time as I propose to move it, and I do not intend to move it today.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
I agree with the comments of Ms. Guergis. It's a bit of a cloud hanging over the head of what has gotten to be a very important chair's position over this committee. I would like to think when we're dealing with such an important issue, that this chair has the confidence of this committee. I'm concerned that the notice of motion brings that into jeopardy. So I would also like to see it either removed or dealt with.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Yes. This is the first committee meeting where the 48 hours' notice will apply, so this is the first meeting at which this could have been brought before the committee.
Yes, Mr. LeBlanc.
3:05 p.m.
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
Mr. Chairman, with respect, I don't think we should be dealing with what could have been brought before the committee. I'm not even sure this is in order. This committee was convened at the request of members of the opposition for a specific purpose stated under the Standing Orders. I'm not sure that we solve a great deal by continuing this conversation on another matter of business that hasn't even been raised by the person who actually gave the notice of the motion.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I find it quite ironic that you would want meetings with the chair when you have a question about confidence in the chair. So I really would like to see the committee deal with this motion at this time, or perhaps have it withdrawn so that we can proceed without any clouds or any issues over the proceedings we're dealing with today.
Mr. Julian, if you feel that you lack confidence in the chair after we've finished these proceedings, there's always the option for you to re-table that at some point. I just think it would be very appropriate--
3:05 p.m.
A voice
In good faith.
3:05 p.m.
A voice
We know how you like to operate in good faith.
3:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I would like to say that as chair I would be more comfortable if the motion were dealt with, but I do also have to agree with Mr. Julian that he can bring this motion forward at a time of his choosing. It's a little odd not to deal with it when there's apparently a desire to remove the chair, but that's certainly Mr. Julian's decision to make.
So we will proceed.
I would like us to start. You all got a copy of the letter from the minister. Could that be read into the minutes of this meeting so that it's on record? We have it in both official languages.
3:10 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Chairman, I don't have a copy of the letter in both official languages.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
You don't have a copy, Mr. André? We'll get you a copy. We have it in French as well. We have it in both languages. They were sent out in both languages.
Anyway, the point is the minister has agreed to come on July 31, and this is a letter saying that's the first date he has available. I've had some discussion with members of all the opposition parties on this. If you agree, rather than having somebody read it into the minutes, we will deem it to have been read, and it will show up in the blues and in the minutes of the meeting. Is that all right?
3:10 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
(Letter taken as read:)
Dear Mr. Benoit: On July 1st, 2006 I was privileged to initial an agreement between Canada and the United States to end the softwood lumber dispute and bring much needed stability to a key Canadian industry and to the many companies, communities and families who depend upon it for their livelihoods. It is the intention of our government to introduce the necessary enabling legislation to the House of Commons when Parliament returns for the fall session. This legislation will be referred to Committee, where I expect members will have the opportunity to participate in a fulsome discussion. However, it is my understanding that the Committee would like to have further debate in advance of the legislation and recall those witnesses who appeared before the Committee in recent weeks. I would be pleased to appear as the first witness before the Committee, am available to attend on July 31st and would look forward to the opportunity to discuss the softwood lumber agreement in full with my colleagues. Sincerely, David Emerson Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
Now we'll move to the witness list. I think that's what the committee wants to deal with here. Can we at this time...?
Mr. Julian.
3:10 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
At this time, since we are dealing with the softwood lumber issue, I would like to put forward three motions about softwood lumber. They have been translated and circulated to members of the committee.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
3:10 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
They were sent to the clerk on Tuesday, Mr. Chair, but as you know, of course, in our standing rules, when there is a substantive motion related directly to the business, it can be raised on the day of the committee meeting itself. In this case, I chose to circulate it and translate it so that members of the committee would be aware of the motions.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The clerk has informed me that the notice would have been given yesterday, which would mean it would be in order for a Friday meeting. We'd be willing to discuss these after we deal with the witness lists. We could go to these motions, then, because two of them really don't relate to the softwood lumber agreement. Number three does and is therefore clearly in order.
The first one, Mr. Julian, is a motion this committee passed just a couple of weeks ago, word for word. It is exactly the same and was part of the motion that was tabled in the House. How can this committee deal with the same motion again, two weeks later? That's clearly not in order, but motion number two--