Evidence of meeting #51 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 offence.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
All right, but I will make sure that we begin our next meeting with this, before we move to clause-by-clause. Mr. Chairman, we will not support having additional meetings and we will make sure that the desire expressed in the motion is respected. I want to be quite clear on that.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
We have an amendment that has been expressed by Ms. Jennings. Before we walk out of this room, I want clarification on the amendment to Mr. Ménard's motion, and that is to have one extra session next week to deal with the issue of judges. Am I correct?
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
It's to begin dealing with the issue of judges, starting next week, with an additional—
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Yes. For the week of the 19th when we come back, the Tuesday would then be the second session of dealing with the judges, and it's from 9 to 11. If the committee wishes a third session, it would continue the following week.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Mr. Chair, I'm prepared to support Ms. Jennings' amendment, but does her amendment then strike the preamble? It would be striking “That the Government postpone the reform made to the composition of the judge selection...”.
If she could put into writing or read into the record exactly what her amendment would do, I'm prepared to support it now.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Point of order. The amendment is out of order because I called for the work to be done within our regular meetings. If you want an amendment to be in order, you need the mover to agree to it because the amendment goes beyond the scope of the motion.
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Maybe we should put Monsieur Ménard's motion and let it sink or float, and then the steering committee could address this.
We're actually proposing a sequence of three hearings under this amendment, when we haven't done any footwork or planning on what the meetings would consist of. We don't have a work plan, and it's only six days away. It really is the kind of thing that should be sorted out at the steering committee. I realize it's been there and it's come back.
As it is, the motion is a motion for future business. It's also a comment on what the government should or shouldn't do, and it's really too much. On the intent of it, I'd like to get into the issue, but I can't support the motion as it is now.
If the member wants to see his motion put now, the chair might put it, without the amendment or with the amendment. I'll vote accordingly.
11:05 a.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
No, we'll get back to it at the next meeting, we won't go back before the steering committee; the motion comes from there. That would be ridiculous. I'm prepared to sit down with the Liberals at the next meeting.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
It was not decided at the steering committee how this was to operate as far as the schedule. It was served and it was discussed. It was not finalized, if you recall.
Ms. Jennings, shall we put your amendment to the floor?
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Before I put my amendment to the floor, may I point out that point two says:
"[...] that, as soon as the study of Bill C-18 is completed, the committee devote three sessions to hearing witnesses who will inform[...]"
It does not say that it will be during the three meetings following the completion of Bill C-18. It is not as clear as that.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
That is why my amendment is for specific weeks and dates for the next three meetings.
11:10 a.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Chairman, point of order. I move adjournment. It is past 11 o'clock.