Evidence of meeting #62 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 spp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I will, as I say, go on to the next witnesses and allow them to make their presentation.
Mr. Julian, you have a point of order.
12:15 p.m.
NDP
12:15 p.m.
An hon. member
The challenge is absurd?
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Julian, of course, you are free to do that. I certainly will go ahead with a vote, if you'd like to do that. But I'm somewhat concerned that some members of the committee are putting aside the rules of committee a little too often—just putting them aside and instead trying to make a decision outside the rules of the committee, quite frankly. Of course, the committee is the master of its destiny, and you can do that, Mr. Julian.
I will ask the question—and it's a non-debatable motion—shall the decision of the chair be sustained?
We will go to a vote.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Can you just clarify the decision of the chair that you won't let the witness speak?
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The decision of the chair was that the witness, Mr. Laxer, is off topic. The comments he is making are not relevant to the subject on the agenda under the orders of the day.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I have also ruled that I will allow him to answer questions, as long as those questions are on topic. That's my ruling, and Mr. Julian has challenged it, so I will—without debate—go to the question. Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?
(Ruling of the chair overturned)
12:15 p.m.
An hon. member
What?
12:15 p.m.
An hon. member
Who is the vice-chair of the committee?
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
[Proceedings continue in camera]
At the committee’s official meeting of Tuesday, May 15, 2007, the committee agreed that the testimony provided et the unofficial meeting of Thursday, May 10, 2007, held from 12:18 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. in Room 701, La Promenade Building, attended by certain members of the Standing Committee on International Trade, be appended to the evidence of the official portion of the committee’s meeting held pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), on the consideration of Canada-U-S trade and investment issues and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
