Evidence of meeting #20 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clerk.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk
A motion to go in camera is the same. It also can be put without notice, without debate.
His motion had just been moved, so to set aside his and do this one would require unanimous consent.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Could you repeat that, please? I was distracted by some members.
The Clerk
That's an order, and that gets put without debate or amendment.
He moved his motion that you proceed to a vote. To not do that, to do something else, would require unanimous consent.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Just to understand, are you suggesting that the motion by Mr. Lemieux is non-debatable?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It deals with the orders of the day. That's it.
So I should not have taken Mr. Bélanger's comments. We should have proceeded to the vote right away. Is that what you're suggesting?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Okay, we'll follow the normal procedure.
Mr. Lemieux, Mr. Nadeau is moving a point of order. He raised his hand and waited to be recognized by the chairman.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize to the clerk for interrupting him.
If I understand correctly, the clerk said that my motion was in order. Can the clerk tell me whether my motion is in order today?
The Clerk
In my opinion, a motion to discuss the orders of the day would be in order. However, if it were moved immediately, it would not be in order.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
It is in order, but it could not be debated today. Is that correct?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Yes, that is right.
Make it clear and simple, please, because I want to move on with the motion by Mr. Lemieux.
The Clerk
After the chairman's decision was overtuned, in my opinion, the motions that were in order were those to move to another order of business to be specified in the motion, the motion to go in camera and the motion to adjourn. These motions do not require notice and can be moved.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
That means that his motion is not in order. We will go back to Mr. Lemieux's motion. We understood that it was not debatable. Consequently, we will move to the vote on the motion.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
No, I'm not.
First of all, it's your decision. You're the chair. Secondly, the clerk mentioned that the motion is non-debatable. Is that a fact? If so, why?
A five-second question is a filibuster? I'm seeking a clarification, Mr. Mulcair. That's a pretty short filibuster, five seconds.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Our time for hearing the witness has expired. So following the motion, we will excuse our witness.
We will take a five-minute break.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Welcome to the third period of this meeting of the official languages committee.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Mr. Chairman, I think we missed a good opportunity to speak to the guest we invited to be here today.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
There have been a number of conversations and negotiations. For the third time, I would like to thank you for your patience, Mr. Corbeil. I would ask you to understand that sometimes committee discussions take longer. Nevertheless, we do some very good work. I would invite you to have a look at our two reports.
We have to plan our next 21 meetings. This will require some discussion between the committee and the steering committee. I may have made a mistake by not scheduling some time in camera to discuss committee business. That is why we had this discussion this morning.
That brings me to the orders of the day. A request has been made that we not hear our witness immediately. Mr. Lemieux moved a motion to hear the witness immediately. We could vote on this motion, and then I will take motions from committee members about the orders of the day or about adjourning.
With your permission, we're going to vote immediately on Mr. Lemieux's motion to hear from the witness from Statistics Canada. This will be a recorded vote.
(The motion is negatived)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you for coming here this morning, Mr. Corbeil. Despite appearances to the contrary, what you have to tell us is of great interest to us, and I hope we will be able to have you back for a full meeting. It is good that you gave us your paper. Committee members will now have an opportunity to review it. Thank you for coming, and I hope we did not upset your schedule too much.
Under the circumstances, I would be inclined to adjourn or to hear suggestions regarding the orders of the day.
Mr. Bélanger.
