National Defence Committee on June 14th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Well, I think that's a standard thing we do. But if you want to clarify it, that's your right.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

We can also say, “will also accept written reports from other groups”, or “written submissions”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Well, that's what she said. Okay. The amendment would say, after “its report on procurement”...or where would it fit in here?

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Yes, sure, after “procurement”, “will also accept written submissions from other parties” or “groups”.

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Didn't we pass the motion already?

[A voice]

No, we haven't. There's an amendment on the floor.

[Dawn Black, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

We just defeated an amendment; we didn't pass the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

We were dealing with the main motion and another amendment appeared.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Let's have a cut-off date; up until June 21.

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

We may not hear from these other groups before then.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

If you want this to pass, don't put any date.

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Don't put a date on it.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Don't put a date and it will pass.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Where is this going to appear in the motion here? Right at the end? It can't.

So “the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to appear before the committee's report on procurement and that written submissions be accepted from other groups”?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

For semantic reasons, Mr. Chair, and given that the committee is inviting people to come, we could end by saying: “The committee also invites any other group to make written submissions for the purposes of the report.” I suppose that that is what you mean.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Is that the gist of your amendment?

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

That's the gist of it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Any further discussion?

On the amendment, all those in favour?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Any further discussion on the amended motion?

[Russ Hiebert, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC]

Can you read it as it stands?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Andrew Chaplin]

Can I get another copy of the motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

We've got it pretty much mucked up here. We'll just get that clarified.

The amended motion that we're voting on is:

That the committee invite Colonel (Retired) Drapeau, and representatives of EADS, the Rideau Institute, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to appear and that the committee invite written submissions from other groups before completing its report on procurement.

All those in favour?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Do we want a recorded vote?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

It looks like it's unanimous.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Chair, before we possibly adjourn here, it's my understanding that we're going to have another meeting on this subject, potentially in September. We are near the end of this study. I'm asking whether or not we could direct our researchers and clerk to map out a plan of study for the next topic on our agenda, which is North American continental defence. The reason I'm suggesting this is that many people here have not been to see Cheyenne Mountain and it is due to close very shortly. That may be a visit that we want to take, if it's still possible, and the planning phases would need to be done now.

As well, there is a base in Tampa, Florida, I believe, which I don't think any of us have seen, that encompasses continental defence...and investigate other points of interest during the summer that may be of use for this committee to visit.