Justice Committee on Dec. 9th, 2025

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

No. I would like clarity on what is being challenged.

Is the challenge that a member should be allowed to move a motion on a point of order? Is the challenge that somebody who is not a member of the committee and who is present when all regular members are present is allowed to move a motion? What is the challenge on? Is it on both of those things?

Do the Conservatives believe that in committees going forward, motions can be moved on points of order, and non-members of the committee should be allowed to move motions when members are present? What is the challenge from the Conservatives?

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

Perhaps you could clarify, Mr. Lawton.

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Housefather, for the question.

What we are seeking is unanimous consent, which any motion could raise at any time. Committees have, as this committee has, moved informally where there is consent. We are allowing the Liberals the opportunity to advance their own bail legislation. That's what we're asking.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

I understand what he was trying to move. Mr. Housefather's question and the issue at hand is the procedural point. My question to you, as Mr. Housefather clarified, is this: What is it you are challenging? What decision are you challenging?

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

We are challenging the Liberals' rejection of unanimous consent and your refusal to hear that.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

All right. We have clarification.

(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 5; nays 4)

Ms. Anstey, you still have the floor.

[Amarjeet Gill, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

Go ahead, Mr. Gill.

[Amarjeet Gill, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Chair, we heard the argument, but I would ask for unanimous consent that the committee now proceed to the consideration of Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing—

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

It has already been dealt with.

Ms. Anstey, you have the floor.

[Amarjeet Gill, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

I challenge it.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

We can do this all day, guys, if you want to have fun.

Mr. Baber.

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

This is a sitting member of the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

Thank you. That's why I listened to his point of order.

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

He's allowed to move a motion for unanimous consent.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

I know. The committee already dealt with it, as recently as about 45 seconds ago.

[Amarjeet Gill, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

I challenge the chair.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I would like you and the clerk to discuss this. At this point, we have established that members are moving motions on points of order. This is not allowed at committees. It is not a challengeable thing. I am asking you to stop this ridiculous practice that I've never once seen in my 10 years in the House of Commons. The Conservatives are making a mockery of this committee at this point.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON]

Do you know what the mockery is, Anthony? It's your refusal, as you obstruct us, to study your bill—

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

We are suspended.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

I call the meeting back to order.

I have sought clarification. Only committee members—in other words, the four Conservative members, whoever they are at any given point, the one member from the Bloc and the four Liberals—are allowed to move motions or raise points of order. Other people are allowed to sit at the table and make submissions that are relevant to the bill. Beyond that, only the regular members can do that, which hopefully will make things run a bit—

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON]

Thank you, Chair. I have a point order.

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

Mr. Brock.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON]

Ironically, as we sit here two hours into this committee hearing, the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, the member for Winnipeg North, is challenging the Conservatives sitting in the House on why we are not swiftly passing Bill C-14. The reason we're not swiftly passing Bill C-14—

[The Chair, Liberal, James Maloney]

This is debate, Mr. Brock.