Evidence of meeting #126 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was training.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Stefanie Beck  Deputy Minister, Department of National Defence
Stephen Kelsey  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence
Caroline Xavier  Chief, Communications Security Establishment
Nancy Tremblay  Assistant Deputy Minister, Materiel, Department of National Defence
Jonathan Moor  Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Department of National Defence
Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Andrew Wilson

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

You have until December 10. There shouldn't be a rush on this.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Some might disagree with your view as to whether there should or shouldn't be a rush.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

The rules are that December 10 is when they're going to get reported back to the House—

The Chair Liberal John McKay

I can call the vote at any time, and I'm calling the vote on the estimates.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

That's not called fair or prudent.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

If it is a point of order, go ahead.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

This is the first time in nine years that we've actually had the minister in before the estimates were voted on, so to what do we owe this sudden rush to get it done?

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

Yes, I'm wondering what the game is coming from the Liberals?

The Chair Liberal John McKay

That's not a point of order.

The minister is here. The staff are here, and we are discussing—

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Okay. We have two points of order.

10:15 a.m.

Conservative

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Could you just clarify whether this vote is dilatory? Is there debate allowed prior to the vote?

The Chair Liberal John McKay

No.... Well, I'll correct myself.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Andrew Wilson

It's not strictly dilatory. It is its own motion.

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Then I feel like talking.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Go ahead, Ms. Normandin.

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

Since we are probably going to have discussions that will not involve the witnesses, can we let them take their leave?

The Chair Liberal John McKay

We can certainly release the witnesses. There's no question about that.

Okay, I called the vote, and apparently there are those who wish to debate it. Apparently it is not a dilatory motion, although it seems....

The Clerk

It is debatable and amendable.

10:20 a.m.

Conservative

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for allowing me to be a guest at this important meeting and this very important committee.

My challenge with the supplementary estimates is that clearly there is a political game afoot here, and the Liberals are trying to push their agenda over what's right for democracy. I mean, I haven't been around as long as you, Mr. Chair, but in my five years I've never seen supplementary estimates sort of shoved down the throat of a committee as is happening.

It's my belief that it's our obligation as parliamentarians to do our job. In the supplementary estimates—as you said, and rightfully so, Mr. Chair—there is a great deal of money being asked for. It might very well be that all this money is extremely well spent, but to just have a vote at the end of a meeting where obviously the the focus of the opposition, and probably all parties, was our discussion with the minister and we have no time—

Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

I hate to interrupt you. I'm so sorry, but I'm wondering about resources for this committee. We are already over time, and I know that some of us have other things that we need to get done. I'm just wondering if we are going to continue on with this or if there will be a hard stop.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

If there's a motion to adjourn, we can adjourn.

Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

Then I would like to adjourn because I need to get to my other things.

The Chair Liberal John McKay

That's a dilatory motion. Are there any objections to adjourning?

The meeting is adjourned.