International Trade Committee on July 13th, 2006

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

No, it's not true.

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

Yes, that's how it has operated from the very beginning.

I just want to point out that this is an emergency meeting, Mr. Julian. It's an emergency meeting, we're here, and it's very important that we work immediately on this. I'm ready, willing, and able, as I said. I'm offering the departmental officials to come not only this Tuesday so that we can work with them in advance, but also to have them return with the minister on July 31. As Mr. Mark Eyking has pointed out, the minister is extremely busy and he's coming here at the earliest date he can, July 31. So I offer up the departmental officials for Tuesday, in addition to being with the minister on July 31.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

No. It is the reverse that I'm suggesting: namely, that we hear from the Minister on the 18 th and the 31 st.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

I think we've heard the discussion. Let's go to the question then.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

On a point of order, there was an amendment made. Are we voting on the amendment first, or are we voting on the motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Oh, was there an amendment? By whom?

Mr. Paquette, I hadn't recognized you, so there certainly wasn't an amendment. Go ahead.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

I moved an amendment stipulating that the Committee would agree to meet on the 18th to hear from departmental officials, if the Minister is present. So, he can decide whether he wants to be here for the meeting on the 18th, the meeting on the 31st, or both.

Speaking personally, I do not intend to travel here to attend a technical briefing on as political an issue as this, if the Minister is not here. My amendment is therefore intended to ensure that we hold a meeting on the 18th with departmental officials, if the Minister is present.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

A point of order, Mr. Jaffer.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, there is a problem with the amendment--and I know it's a friendly amendment. The problem is that it depends, and rightly so, on the minister's schedule. I'm sure if he can be here, he will, and this is the reason why I proposed the departmental briefing initially, the technical briefing. We can check to see if the minister is available, and if he is, maybe he'll move his time forward. I don't think that's possible.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

We've already done that, Mr. Jaffer, as you know, and the earliest date he can come is July 31.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Right, so I think that unfortunately the amendment is out of order on that basis, because there's no way we can get the minister anyway. So the technical briefing is the only thing we can deal with.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Yes, Mr. Eyking.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

To help the chair, I think we have to vote on the amendment that's on the floor and then vote on the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Yes. If the discussion on the amendment is over, let's go to the vote on the amendment. You all know what the amendment is.

[Rahim Jaffer, Conservative, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

But it's out of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

It's not out of order, even though it may be irrelevant.

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Now, on the motion as amended.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I want it to be perfectly clear that the Committee on International Trade will meet if the Minister is available. If he is not available, there will be no meeting. I want that to be clear.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

That is what the amendment said.

Mr. Julian.

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

When will we know? Can we get that information within the next 24 hours?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

We know already, Mr. Julian. The minister has said the very first date that he could possibly appear would be on July 31. He has done everything he can to accommodate the members of this committee, and he agreed to come the very first day that he is available.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Who knows, something he had scheduled may have been cancelled.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Mr. Paquette.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Perhaps there were changes to his schedule that we are unaware of. Once we have carried the motion, the clerk will take whatever action is necessary.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Let's go to the question. On the motion as amended, those in favour?