We'll deal with one at a time. Let's deal with the motion you submitted last Thursday.
Is there discussion? None? Then we'll go to the vote.
Evidence of meeting #35 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was violent.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
We'll deal with one at a time. Let's deal with the motion you submitted last Thursday.
Is there discussion? None? Then we'll go to the vote.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Myron Thompson Conservative Wild Rose, AB
We have so much legislation to deal with before Christmas that I'm just trying to figure out why we're rushing this one.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Be that as it may, Mr. Thompson, I know that's part of debate, but I think we moved into the vote on the issue, so if I may....
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Chair, I quickly give notice of the second motion, which reads as follows:
Whereas various important witnesses have indicated to the Committee that there is a significant link between armed offences, street gangs and organized crime;
Whereas parliamentarians have an obligation to legislate on the basis of meaningful and conclusive information;
It is proposed that the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights not begin the clause-by-clause review of Bill C-10 until it has devoted two more meetings to the issue of street gangs, and two more meetings to examine the overall effect on gangsterism of Bills C-95 and C-24, adopted in 1997 and 2001;
It is also proposed, with respect to gangsterism, that the research assistants produce a summary of the case law and provide Committee members with a file comprising the court judgments in full.
We could discuss it at the next committee meeting. I hope to have the support of all committee members.
Mr. Thompson, I'm a friend.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Okay. Notice of motion has been served.
Mr. Lee, go ahead on a point of order.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, there's been some chitchat on this side of the table about the meeting coming up on Wednesday. A number of us are going to have a very difficult time to attend the meeting. There are some really important witnesses.
I have been able to arrange it so I will be here for at least a portion of the meeting time, but there are colleagues who have not. It's a very difficult thing to deal with, because we don't have a lot of time. The best I could think of was to reschedule the meeting, but rescheduling pushes out the time for clause-by-clause consideration.
I wanted to make that point to see if there are any creative ways of accommodating the apparent absence of some of the members from the committee on Wednesday.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Will all members be here?
Monsieur Ménard, will you be here on Wednesday?
5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
I can be present, but it can be cancelled as well. I know there's going to be a Liberal leadership conference. I don't see any problem in cancelling it.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
You have agreed to attend, obviously, but you're concerned about the length of time.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I don't think there's any easy way to solve the problem.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
If there were, I'd surely be presenting it. We'll do our best.
5:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
We will work with it as well as we can, Mr. Lee. If it means possibly concluding a little early, we might end up doing that, too, if there aren't a sufficient number of members around.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
It was a coming together of two separate problems for members on the opposition side. There are different causes and different solutions, but thank you for considering it.
5:40 p.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
If the meeting is postponed, shortened or cancelled, it's to promote democracy within the Liberal Party. Did I understand correctly?
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
If that promotes democracy within the Liberal Party—