Evidence of meeting #20 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vote.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
I'd like to call the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to order--it being Wednesday, March 12, 2008--for our deliberation, as a committee, pursuant to the order of reference of Monday, March 3, 2008, on the statutory review of the proposed appointment of Mr. Brian J. Saunders as the Director of Public Prosecutions.
I would ask that Mr. Saunders come to the head of the table.
Thank you, Mr. Saunders.
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
A point of order, Mr. Chairman. Yesterday when you evacuated the chair you had ruled out of order a motion I made, that this committee should begin hearings into allegations surrounding the attempt to bribe Mr. Cadman. You ruled that out of order.
A colleague of ours challenged that ruling. My understanding is that at that point your obligation is to put to a vote immediately a challenge to your ruling. Instead you chose simply to abandon the chair.
So I'm hoping that without delaying Mr. Saunders' presentation, you will immediately put to a vote the challenge to your ruling of yesterday so that we can proceed.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Given that this is another actual part of committee business and Mr. Saunders is here to testify, I will say this: the motion, whether it's on the table now or not, is a matter of question. It was ruled out of order. I will continue to rule it out of order even if it is presented again. And on the fact that the chair was challenged on that particular ruling, so be it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
I will not take your vote.
I will address Mr. Saunders and apologize to Mr. Saunders for his appearance here at the committee today. It's unfortunate. We were looking forward to listening to his testimony, but I am not prepared to take that vote and I will vacate the chair. That is an issue right now that I intend--
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
You have no choice, you have to proceed with the vote straight away. I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman. You cannot rewrite the Standing Orders. You have to call the question on the motion straight away.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Just a moment, please, Mr. Chairman, I was making a point of order. You have to let me speak. Yesterday, I challenged your decision.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Yesterday, we ended our meeting on a point of order. I asked that the committee vote on your decision. That means you must automatically call the question. You cannot rewrite the Standing Orders. You are not above the House of Commons and its Standing Orders. We are asking you to call the question immediately. It is not debatable. Check with the clerk if you are uncertain. You asked us to show decorum. If we are to do so, you must assume your responsibilities as the guardian of the Standing Orders. Our Standing Orders stipulate that we must proceed immediately to the vote and I insist that this be done.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
I have already advised this committee that I will be vacating the chair. I will not take the count. My reasons were expressed before.
Liberal
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Mr. Chairman, I am going to challenge your ruling in that regard right now. I'm going to challenge the chair on your refusal to take the vote on the challenge to the chair. I am asking that you take a vote on my challenge to your decision that you will not take the vote on the challenge to the chair.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
You must first give a ruling on our point of order. Wait a minute, please. We have Standing Orders and you have to adhere to them.
Conservative
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
Réal, we all need order. You have to abide by the Standing Orders too.
