Official Languages Committee on May 31st, 2007

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

We are talking about the amendment, aren't we? Then we will vote on it.

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

I would like him to—

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Godin.

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

If an amendment has been moved, someone has to second it so that we can discuss it.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

So will someone second the amendment?

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

His remarks—

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

The issue is now to determine whether the amendment is passed or rejected.

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

We are discussing it, aren't we?

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

Before, there is a point I wish to raise.

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

I would also like to raise a point on the amendment.

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

No, I would like to comment on what Mr. Yvon Godin said, and perhaps on the amendment as well. It's perhaps an idea, because everyone seems to find it too long.

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

No.

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

Here's an idea. First, we draft a motion covering Mr. Fraser, the Court Challenges Program and Ms. Verner. Second, we draft a different motion to cover the rest of it, including Radio-Canada, to make sure it's not forgotten.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I would like to point out that Mr. Lemieux's amendment is in order. It does not need to be seconded, Mr. Godin.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Ms. Boucher has just spoken. Mr. Lemieux can now comment on his amendment.

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

Mr. Godin has polarized the issue again. I am not saying that the Radio-Canada issue is not important. At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Nadeau pointed out that we should perhaps continue our hearings over the summer. I would certainly be prepared to do that if we were talking about a critical issue, but the Radio-Canada issue is not critical at this time. That is why I would like us to have the freedom of deciding further down the line whether it is a critical issue, and not be forced to decide that today. And the committee would sit during the summer.

I never said it wasn't important. But why should we add yet another issue to the agenda now, when Mr. Nadeau said that we may sit over the summer? Our schedule is already full. Could we discuss Radio-Canada again in one or two weeks? That is what my amendment is intended to achieve.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Lemieux.

I would like to know whether the committee is ready for the question on the amendment.

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

I would like a couple of minutes to discuss it with my group, since it seems rather difficult to have a discussion together here today.

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

Agreed.

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

They are at the other end of the table.

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

A five-minute work plan.

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

Exactly.

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

We did that last time. We can suspend for a couple of minutes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I'm being asked to suspend the meeting for five minutes. Then, we can—