Official Languages Committee on May 15th, 2007

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Madam Clerk, we would ask to move to the next motion regarding the appointment of a new chair for this committee.

[The Clerk]

I'm going to ask if there are any formal motions.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

This meeting is over. Another meeting will have to be called. We need more information. Can we suspend the meeting for two minutes? I'm going to get some information. I believe I am right.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

I would prefer that you do not suspend the meeting, sir. You can go and get the information, we will wait. There is no problem with that.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I apologize, I made another mistake.

[The Clerk]

Honourable members of the committee, since we have quorum, we can proceed with election of a chair.

I am ready to receive motions for the position of chairman.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Madam Clerk, I move that Mr. Chong be chair of the committee.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

I decline the nomination.

[The Clerk]

Are there any other motions?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

I nominate Luc Harvey, Madam Clerk.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Thank you for thinking of me, Ms. Folco, but unfortunately I must decline.

[The Clerk]

Are there any other motions?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I nominate Mr. Lemieux, Madam Clerk.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I'm touched that I'm third on the list. Thank you very much, but I have a great deal of confidence in Mr. Lauzon. So I must decline, thank you.

[The Clerk]

Are there any other motions?

[Jean-Claude D'Amours, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Madam Clerk, I nominate Ms. Boucher as chair of the committee.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

That is brilliant on Mr. D'Amours' part, particularly, since I am the last the list. Since I am very fond of you, I will decline.

[The Clerk]

Are there any other motions?

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Madam Clerk, I would have liked to move that Ms. Boucher be chair of the committee, but it is against my principles to have a parliamentary secretary chair a committee. That is why I did not nominate her.

[The Clerk]

Are there any other nominations?

As clerk, all I can do is receive motions for the election of the chair. I cannot receive any other motion, I cannot hear any points of order and I cannot take part in your debates. I need motions for the election of the chair.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I would just like to say that we cannot nominate anyone else as chair, because no one else is eligible.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

May I ask that this meeting be adjourned, Madam Clerk?

[The Clerk]

I have no power to adjourn the meeting, and there is no chair.