Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 44th 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.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, I'm happy to address that.
My understanding is that all of the parties have agreed to the first 14 propositions. The Liberal Party, in all candour, does not support that last proposition.
I’m talking about the motion concerning in camera proceedings.
Bloc
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
No, it is not. Mr. Virani has not moved it, and in fact according to the information that I have, it's out of order on that particular motion. The other ones have all been agreed to by all of the party whips and that's why they were brought forward in that format.
Mr. Hoback.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Yes, Chair, I agree with you. I was told by the folks in our whip's office too that this wasn't agreed upon, and actually when you get into the functionality of this, it actually would be not in order, so it can't proceed.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Okay. Everybody's okay with that?
Is there unanimous consent to vote on all of those routine motions with one vote, of course not including the one Mr. Savard-Tremblay was referencing, but simply the ones that have been recognized that Mr. Virani introduced.
Mr. Masse.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I'm not going to disagree but I want to know why it's out of order. I come from a municipal background where in camera meetings are specifically designated by law, and so I don't understand why the motion here is out of order. If we choose not to do it, that's one thing, but being ruled out of order is another. I want to make that point, because my understanding is that it's not out of order, but I'd like to know why.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
On page 1089 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, it states that in practice, committees often change from in public to in camera meetings at the suggestion of the chair with the consent of the members. This routine motion could be used more as a guide rather than a strict rule. That's the information I'm getting from the clerk.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It conflicts with the standing orders that we are basically in the process of adopting.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
When you look at it, any motion to go in camera is not debatable, but this is asking for it to be debatable. That contradicts going in camera, so that's the problem with the way it's worded.
NDP
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
You can't debate a motion to go in camera. It's undebatable, yet in here you're asking to debate it before you go in camera. That contradicts itself.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Everything that Mr. Virani has outlined has been agreed upon by all of the whips. They've given us the direction to....
Let's keep peace moving forward, all right?
All those in favour of the routine motions that Mr. Virani has indicated.
(Motions agreed to)
Thank you all very much.
I would like to invite the analysts—
Liberal
Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Madam Chair, I put my hand up virtually.
Congratulations, Madam Chair, and to the vice-chairs as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much, Mr. Sheehan.
I was just about to invite the analysts to the table and then open it up for discussion.
Is that okay with you, or do you want...?
Liberal
Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
I wanted to draw to your attention that I had circulated a motion in both official languages. I didn't know when the appropriate time was to introduce it or deal with it. We just did the routine motions, so I'm seeking your advice.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
If you want to introduce it, send it off to the clerk and we'll discuss it with committee business as to where we go.
Liberal
Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Very good.
I have circulated it and I believe everyone has received it. I can read it, if you'd like, at the appropriate time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Right now, we're going to invite the analysts, Simon Richards and Bashar Abu Taleb, to take their seats and to put on the camera.
Would the committee like to discuss committee business at this time?
Go ahead, Mr. Hoback.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
I believe there are two motions. Arif has a motion and Terry does, too. They're both very similar. They should probably go to the subcommittee for discussion. There are some terminology problems in both of them; it's not the buy America but the “Build Back Better” legislation that they're talking about.
I have no issue with their motions or doing that type of study; it's the process that we use to get it forward here. It should probably go to the subcommittee. I would be curious to hear if there are any other things that people would like to have before the subcommittee for discussion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The floor is open for that kind of a discussion and to some of the committee business that would then go to the subcommittee at that point.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
I believe Mr. Sheehan wanted to speak to his motion, so perhaps we could turn it back over to him.
