Evidence of meeting #20 for International Trade in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clause.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Chair, you cannot choose out of a hat who is presiding over committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
Well, I'm not choosing out of a hat. I'm choosing a chairman of another committee of the House who is well versed in these matters, and it's hardly with a hat.... I am, however, asking consent of the committee to replace me in the short term.
Conservative
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
The committee has already chosen. There are two vice-chairs for this committee.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
There is a vice-chair, Mr. Cannis, and you're absolutely right: he is absent. There is also vice-chair Mr. Laforest, and in the event where you are leaving the chair and Mr. Cannis is not available, it would normally be Mr. Laforest. That is the process. And--
Conservative
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
If you could consult the clerks on this, I think you will find that they are aware of the precedents.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
I appreciate your advice, but I am the chair, and I've heard your point of order.
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
Well, you can ask all you want. I'm running this committee. I make the judgment. If there's any consulting to do, I'll consult, if I choose to--
NDP
Conservative
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
--and the decision is that we have appointed two vice-chairs.
Conservative
Gerald Keddy Conservative South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS
Yes, Mr. Chairman. Respectfully, I think there's an agreement among the four party whips that anyone the chair chooses may replace the chair. It does not have to be an opposition member. I think that is what's at stake here.