Evidence of meeting #12 for Justice and Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was debate.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie
I truly was. It was very interesting.
Mr. Harris, you're next on the list.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Thank you, Chair.
As much as I've been enjoying this debate today, I have a proposal. There have been some discussions between the parties as to how we should proceed, along the lines that I was talking about a little earlier, the kind of interparliamentary cooperation that we would like to have. In that spirit, we've come up with something, and I'm going to put the wording here. I just want to ensure that if I get something wrong, it will be corrected.
It would in effect be an amendment to the existing motion, but instead of moving it as an amendment, I would propose that we adjourn today until Tuesday, November 22—I believe that is the date—at 8:45 a.m., whereupon we will sit until 2 p.m. to consider the amendments. We will then recommence at 3:30 p.m. and continue until midnight or an earlier adjournment. The adjournment would require all three parties to agree that we would again resume on Wednesday, the 23rd, if necessary, at 3:30 p.m., until 11:59 p.m., by which time we would complete the legislation.
Mr. Goguen's motion would then be:
That, if the committee has not completed the clause by clause consideration of Bill C-10 by 11:59 p.m. on November 23, 2011, that the Chair put all and every question necessary to dispose of this stage of the Bill forthwith and successively, without further debate, and then the Chair be ordered to report the Bill back to the House on or before November 24, 2011; and that the Chair limit debate on each clause to a maximum of 10 minutes per party per clause before the clause comes to a vote.
That time allocation would not apply to clauses that involve mandatory minimum sentences. I've identified them so far as clauses 34, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43.
The other caveat at the end is that we would anticipate that in operating through this, even though we have a time allocation of 10 minutes, we would obviously not be using 10 minutes on each and every clause. In good faith, we would anticipate some flexibility there because of that. That, in our view, represents a reasonable approach to moving forward on this so that all parties have an opportunity to bring forward their amendments and have a proper discussion.
If that's acceptable and if I've worded that correctly, then I would ask that it be adopted by the committee.
Conservative
Robert Goguen Conservative Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
Would it be possible to have it written out?
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
There will be a transcript of it. Is there some question you have...? I can spell out the times again.
Conservative
Robert Goguen Conservative Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
Yes. I think we are covering two meetings. Is that correct? Tuesday and Wednesday?
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
We're talking about a Tuesday meeting and a Wednesday meeting. The Tuesday meeting is 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., or I guess 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Conservative
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
It is until question period, and then 3:30 p.m. until midnight, or sooner, if we want to adjourn sooner and come back the next day. It depends on progress. We're talking about good faith here. I think given the discussions that we've had, there appears to be an interest in good faith going forward.
It will be two days, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, starting at 8:45 until we decide to finish, and Wednesday, from 3:30 until midnight, if necessary. It may not be necessary. Once given the opportunity to debate, we may obviously not feel like we have to use up every ounce of time available. We want to be able to make our points. We have a framework that I think is reasonable in which to do that. I don't know if there's any detail that needs explanation.
Do you have a nuance, to that, Mr. Jean?
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I was just going to mention that it seems reasonable that things would at least be consistent with being finished by Wednesday night. But there would be several more hours to deal with it if necessary. Certainly I think that all parties, from my perspective, could agree to this. It seems like a reasonable compromise.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie
Thank you.
I would just say, from the chair's perspective, that it is very difficult to have your flexible times in there. I guess the chair would just say to you that it will be very difficult. If you don't use up your time now, I don't know how you will expect it to be chaired later. So just don't fight with the chair when it comes.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
This is, I guess, a direction to the chair, unfortunately. Maybe you could remind people when the 10 minutes are up.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
If it turns out to be a problem, then I guess we can attempt to deal with it by consensus.
Conservative
Liberal
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think in you we have a fair-minded chair. I think we can rely on your good faith, as you have demonstrated it thus far. And we can operate, I would hope, in a general spirit of good faith and do serious work on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I won't deny that I might have wished for a longer time, but this is a compromise. And I hope that we will be able to seriously consider the amendments with a view to improving the legislation.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Having said that, shall I make a motion for adjournment? Does someone else need to call it?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie
The clerk has indicated that if everybody understands the amendment to the original motion, as proposed and read by Mr. Harris today, we can vote on the amendment now.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie
I was just going to do that. But I would like to thank the good folks who have spent all day and part of this evening here. We appreciate it. The interpreters have done a great job today. I'd also thank the staff at this table.
The meeting is adjourned.
