Evidence of meeting #32 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was accused.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Kenneth W. Watkin  Judge Advocate General, Department of National Defence
Colonel  Retired) Michel Drapeau (As an Individual
Marc Toupin  Procedural Clerk
Patrick K. Gleeson  Deputy Judge Advocate General, Military Justice and Administrative Law, Department of National Defence
Michael R. Gibson  Director, Strategic Legal Analysis, Department of National Defence

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

You can propose it. We have a copy in front of us.

If you want to propose this motion saying “two years”, you're welcome to do that. It's not an amendment. It's just part of the new motion.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Okay, but I have to put “two years” in there.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

That's up to you, if you want to.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Chairman, I want to remind you of your promise. You told me I could introduce my provision, but I thought that, if I introduced it, committee members could reject it because they wouldn't accept it as it stands.

I didn't want the matter to be resolved that way. In fact, I would like to illustrate what I mean when I talk about the belt and suspenders. Mr. Wilfert provided the belt, and I want to provide the suspenders. I think that's feasible provided I'm not told it's impossible. I'm a bit embarrassed, and that's why I sounded things out on your side. You only told me that I could introduce my provision, but I'm being told it isn't acceptable because there is a review.

I'm going to introduce it, but stating two years. All right?

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

Okay.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

What do you think?

I'll get beaten anyway.

It's two years. The amendment reads as follows:

The amendments made by this Act cease to have effect on the day that is two years after the day on which this Act comes into force or, if Parliament is not then in session, on the day that is 90 days after the commencement of the next ensuing session.

Some people said that, in the event of elections, we'll have to start everything over again. But that's not the case. The provision states that, if there is another Parliament, it will be 90 days after the next session starts.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

I'd just like to read back the amendment--wait, it's not an amendment. Yes, it is an amendment, and it's proposed by Mr. Bachand to be clause 31.1.

Go ahead, please.

6:55 p.m.

Procedural Clerk

Marc Toupin

The amendment would read as follows:

The amendments made by this Act cease to have effect on the day that is two years after the day on which this Act comes into force or, if Parliament is not then in session, on the day that is 90 days after the commencement of the next ensuing session.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

That's it.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

Is that acceptable, Mr. Bachand?

Thank you.

Go ahead, Ms. Black.

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

I'm just waiting to see if it's in order.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

It's in order. Is there debate?

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

I'm just having a little bit of trouble getting my head around the business of legislation that would have a mandatory review at the end of two years and also a sunset clause at the end of two years.

We've already approved the two-year review. If we're going to have both of these, should we not make it a three-year for the sunset? How can you have a review, not receive the review, and have the sunset clause kick in?

Thank you.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

It could go to three years--

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

I'm wondering if the Bloc is amenable to an amendment of three years, which I would propose as an amendment.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

You want a subamendment to the amendment to take out “two years” and put in “three years”.

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

It would make it three years. Yes, please.

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

Okay. Does everybody understand that?

Debate?

I'll call the question on the subamendment.

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Am I the only one in favour?

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

It's defeated.

I call the question on the amendment.

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Are you going to leave it at two years?

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

We're going to leave it at two years.

6:55 p.m.

NDP

Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Is it two years or three years?

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rick Casson

It's two. Three years was defeated.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Three years was defeated while I was talking to the nice lady here. I didn't hear you call the vote.