International Trade Committee on Nov. 2nd, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

You have heard the motion.

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

Mr. Chair, I'd like to have that in writing. That's a very detailed, complex motion from Mr. Menzies.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Could we get the motion in writing? It's very clear to the chair.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to speak, finally.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

We'll be patient, Mr. Menzies.

Please just go ahead and get that in appropriate order. We want to make sure we have it clear.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

It's obvious that you are, Mr. Chair. I recognize that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Members of the committee, witnesses, we are going to suspend for about two minutes while the motion, which is a complex motion, is written up, so that Mr. Julian and others can have a copy of it. We'll get right back to it afterwards.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Let's reconvene the meeting.

We have a copy of the motion in English. I'll have to read it for that reason, so the interpreters can do their work. I will read the motion now that is before the committee:

That the total number of minutes of debate per amendment, per member, be limited up to a maximum of three minutes, and that three minutes per member also be allotted to the clause, amended or not.

That the committee finish clause-by-clause consideration for Bill C-24 by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

That all clauses that have no proposals for amendment be voted on together in one vote at the start of the meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

That Bill C-24 be reported back to the House on Thursday, November 9, or as soon as possible.

That the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-24 be completed before considering any other committee business.

That any debate on motions related to Bill C-24 be limited to three minutes per person per motion.

Mr. Julian.

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

The first clause is clearly out of order. It essentially does not allow members of this committee to provide subamendments. By tying the minutes of debate to amendment of the clause, it excludes the possibility of subamendments, which is clearly permitted in Marleau and Montpetit. It's out of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

The subamendment is an amendment, to my understanding.

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

So you're saying subamendments are not covered by this?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

I'm saying that a subamendment is an amendment and it is covered by this.

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

A subamendment is treated differently, but....

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

It allows three minutes of debate per amendment.

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

It's per amendment, which excludes the possibility of subamendments.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

No. A subamendment is an amendment. It's an amendment to the amendment, and that is covered in this statement.

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

Are you saying that for each subamendment there would be the ability to intervene for three minutes?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

That is correct.

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

Is that the interpretation from the head of the table?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

The interpretation comes through me, Mr. Julian. We have discussed it.

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

I would like to move an amendment to the motion deleting the second paragraph, “That the committee finish clause-by-clause consideration for Bill C-24 by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 7”; and the second-last paragraph, “That the clause-by-clause consideration for Bill C-24 be completed before considering any other committee business.”

I'll speak to those amendments that are being offered. In terms of the committee business, this essentially--

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

There's a point of order from Mr. Menzies.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

If this isn't a friendly amendment to this motion, and I don't view it as such, I won't accept it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Of course, the member can move an amendment. It's up to the committee to decide whether it's accepted or not.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Then I call the question on it.