Official Languages Committee on May 31st, 2007

Evidence of meeting #55 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Committee Business

Election of Chair

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Graeme Truelove

Christine Lafrance Procedural Clerk

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

Okay, it says—

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

At the bottom of the calendar.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

It says "Possible extension".

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

No, it says "Possible extension of sitting hours".

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

Exactly.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

That means that we could be called upon to sit additional hours, to sit in the evening. The calendar provides for us to sit until June 22, with the option of having extended sitting hours in the last fortnight.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

Order, please. I want to hear from Mr. Harvey.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

I want to ask a question, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Harvey said that he has not been able to get an answer all morning. That is not my fault.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

Do you have something to add, Mr. Harvey.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

No. I thought that orange indicated the days that we would sit if the session was extended.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Orange is the NDP's colour.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

Mr. Godin, I am new.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB

You have been here for a year and a half.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC

I am delighted to have an expert explain the intricacies of the system to me. That was how I understood it, that is all.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

We are now going to give the floor to Ms. Boucher. I would remind you that there are still five names on the list.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

You cannot limit the number of names on the list.

9:50 a.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

No, but it would be nice to finish with this at some point.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

In listening to what was said earlier, I got the impression that something was missing. A motion was tabled on May 11. It was on the agenda and now it has disappeared. I want to know why. It was Pierre Lemieux's motion. I have it here with me.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Yes, that is right.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Yes, I have it here.

9:50 a.m.

An hon. member

Was it not adopted?

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

No.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Regardless, it was on the agenda. We have been talking about motions all morning. Could I please be allowed to continue?

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney

So—

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

The motion concerns the witnesses due to appear on the Court Challenges Program.