Evidence of meeting #36 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.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Dennis Seebach  Director, Administration and Technology Services, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Marc Toupin  Procedural Clerk
Mary McMahon  Senior Counsel, Legal Services Branch, Canada Revenue Agency
Michael Solursh  Counsel, Trade Law Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Cindy Negus  Manager, Legislative Policy Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency
Paul Robertson  Director General, North America Trade Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

3:05 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Because of the confusion around this clause, as we've had confusion over so many of these other clauses that we're ramming through today.... It makes no sense that we go hell bent, sixty seconds an amendment, sixty seconds a clause, to try to ram this bill through. I implore the government to see good sense. The decisions we're making have huge consequences. In each of these cases we're seeing these amendments being rammed through without due consideration of what the implications are. Sixty seconds an amendment--it's never been seen in the entire history of Confederation that a committee has acted so irresponsibly.

In this case we have a great deal of confusion around the amendment and the subamendment, differences of interpretation. It is very clear to me that what we have to do is set aside this amendment, set aside this particular subamendment, set it aside so that we can provide due consideration later on. I'm certainly hoping that my colleagues around the table will see the good sense of adjourning this meeting at some point. We're making more and more mistakes, Mr. Chair, and this particular clause--

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

Thank you, Mr. Julian.

Does anyone else want to speak to the motion to stand this until later?

Monsieur Cardin.

On a point of order, Mr. Julian.

3:10 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

We do have a motion on the table. If the motion passes, of course we would not be going back to the subamendment. If the motion is defeated, then we would be able to go to Mr. Cardin, if he's speaking on the subamendment itself.

November 7th, 2006 / 3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

Monsieur Cardin, did you want to speak on the subamendment or on Mr. Julian's motion to stand?

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

I'm sorry; I didn't get that. Are you talking about his motion?

3:10 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Yes, my motion, which is to table this because...

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

No, I do not wish to speak on that.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

Okay, let's go to the vote on the motion to stand the subamendment. Mr. Cannan's subamendment is what the motion was to stand.

(Motion negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

The motion to stand the subamendment has been defeated.

Now we go to the vote on the subamendment.

Mr. Cardin, were you on the subamendment? Go ahead.

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Earlier, when we were talking about the phrase “file with the Minister”, we were told that this referred to the Minister of National Revenue. But in the sub-amendment that has been tabled, it again states “the Minister of Revenue”. If it is implicit that the minister referred to is the Minister of Revenue, then this is redundant.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

I guess we just go to a vote? We'll go to a vote on the subamendment.

You have already spoken, Mr. Martin. You might not know this, but you have.

Go ahead with the recorded division on the subamendment.

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON

I abstain.

(Subamendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

3:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

We'll go to the amendment, which is amendment CPC-4, on page 39. We will now go to the vote on that amendment, with a recorded division.

Sorry, Monsieur Cardin, we've already started the vote on amendment CPC-4.

3:10 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Yes, but had we really completed our discussion? Sub-amendments have been tabled.

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

No, the subamendment was defeated, so it's just on the amendment as you see it.

3:15 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Well then, we should debate the amendment, but you already called the question.

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

I'd opened it for debate and I saw none. We could ask for unanimous consent to go back, if you want.

3:15 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Fine.

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

Is there unanimous consent to go back to debate on that motion?

Okay, it's agreed, Monsieur Cardin.

3:15 p.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If I am mistaken, ladies and gentlemen, please say so, but this amendment seems to limit the information that exporters should normally provide to the government. That's my impression. I don't really understand the purpose of this amendment.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to whether it does or does not limit information.

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

Mr. Julian.

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I come back refreshed.

So we are now on amendment CPC....

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

We're on amendment CPC-4 on page 39 of the amendment booklet--

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

After the subamendment.

3:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit

On the actual amendment.