Evidence of meeting #78 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Noon
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
I apologize, but the Liberal women's caucus sits from 12 until 1:30, so caucus is ongoing until 1:30 in the afternoon.
Noon
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Practically speaking, just based on what Mr. Bagnell said in the last couple of minutes, we obviously, as a government, want to get this through. We feel that it is an important piece of legislation. It's going to keep Canadians safer and address the whole issue of drug-impaired driving, which is not sufficiently addressed as is. I'd like to see that happen before the summer, but if we're going to come back here, Mr. Bagnell mentioned the Bloc and the NDP being able to think about the whole bill and giving them some time and that's why he talked out the clock—
Noon
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
I'm just wondering, when we come back, is he going to continue his filibuster throughout the whole two hours tomorrow? That would certainly have an impact on my thoughts on whether we should meet or not.
We have to meet. I agree that we should meet, but it should be to do some work.
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
You have a point there, Mr. Moore. I don't see the advantage of Mr. Bagnell continuing on that discussion, but the committee can bear with it if he does. But we do indeed have to finish off, or at least try to finish off, this bill. It would be nice to set aside, say, one hour tomorrow. I'm trying to get a consensus from the committee as to what time that might be.
12:05 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Chairman, the committee should meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Let's use the time set aside for the legislative committee. I'd like to know what difference it makes if we meet at 12:30 p.m. or at 3:30 p.m. The only time during the week that we have to meet with people, when we're not sitting in committee, is after caucus. What difference does it make? Everyone wants this bill. There has been no systematic obstruction to date. You can thank God, Mr. Chairman, that we have voted in favour of your amendments. I don't see what the problem is.
12:05 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Do I have the floor? Thank you.
Bill C-21 is coming up for debate in the House this afternoon. I assume several of us will want to be there to debate that, and I can't be here tomorrow afternoon after question period. I'm in Montreal as soon after question period as I can leave. So why don't we just do it on Thursday when we are already scheduled?
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
On a strictly technical basis, what we want to be able to do is report this back to the House prior to the summer break, and if we wait until Thursday's meeting, it may be that the House would adjourn prior to our ability to actually introduce it back into the House. By meeting tomorrow, it at least gives us the opportunity to finish and report back to the House and our job is done.
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Exactly, Mr. Lee. I think that expresses it all on our side as well. So tomorrow it is, at 3:30.
Mr. Bagnell.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
I just want to reply to Mr. Moore.
I'll agree not to filibuster if we can have a serious comment from each party on this major point in the whole criminal justice system of taking away people's rights in this clause by not allowing them this evidence. If every party makes a serious comment on that, then I will not filibuster.
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
It's good that you've made your serious comment already, Mr. Bagnell, so I guess it's just up to the rest of them.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
He did it on an individual basis; he did not speak on behalf of the Liberals.