National Defence Committee on June 16th, 2008

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

In my mind, calling for a review and calling for a sunset are two totally different things. The ramifications of each are quite different. Your amendment will be dealt with.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Is there any further discussion on new clause 27.1?

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

May I amend it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Yes, but it will have to be in writing.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

If it's in my writing, you won't understand a word.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Somebody will.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I've just received it. So I can't table a written amendment. Perhaps someone can note it down as I dictate it. In fact, I'm opposed to the fact that we're involving the Senate and a joint committee. We should be talking about the House of Commons. I don't think that's complicated to understand.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Mr. Bachand, the legislative clerk has indicated to me that if you have verbal text you can present now, he will write it out and present it back to the committee.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I'm going to dictate my text to him. I would like to strike out “by the committee of either the Senate”, “or” and “or both”. That would read as follows:

27.1(1) Within two years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this Act shall be undertaken by the House of Commons that is designated or established by Parliament or the House of Commons, as the case may be, for that purpose.

I don't think what I've said is clear. May I start over, Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Yes.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I suggest the following wording instead: “[...] shall be undertaken by a committee of the House of Commons designated for that purpose [...]:

I wouldn't bet $100 that I win my bet, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

The clerk will go over it just to make sure it's what you reflected.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Bring forward the proposal.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

We'll read it back and make sure it's proper.

[Marc Toupin, Procedural Clerk]

Mr. Bachand, the text would read as follows:

27.1(1) Within two years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this Act shall be undertaken by a committee of the House of Commons designated for that purpose.

Subsection 2 would not be amended.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Except that, in subsection 2, you say: “[...] the Senate or the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament [...]”. Wouldn't it be appropriate to make an amendment here? Yes. Could we adopt it subsection by subsection?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

No. We should have both amendments to this.

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Okay.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

We could say: “[...] or within any longer period that the House of Commons [...]”

[Claude Bachand, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

May I suggest this to the legislative drafter?

Subsection 2 would read:

(2) Within one year after the review is undertaken, or within any longer period that the House of Commons may authorize, the committee referred to in subsection (1) shall submit a report on the review to Parliament, including a statement of any changes that the committee recommends to the House of Commons.

Did you follow me?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Yes.

[Marc Toupin]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Do you have a comment? I want to read back the total amended section.

[Bryon Wilfert, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Read it back first.