Evidence of meeting #21 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 lemieux.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Mr. Godin.
At this point I will just intervene to remind committee members that, first, we must respect the fact that some votes or decisions were taken in camera.
Second, I believe that everyone around the table is in favour of the motion. I would therefore like to invite committee members to work in a productive manner. So in that spirit, if everyone has spoken to the motion, as chair I am ready to hold the vote.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I am next on the list. I am willing to stop here if members are ready to vote—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We are discussing committee business. You can speak as long as you like, but if it is the will of the committee, I am ready to put the motion, which reads as follows:
That the committee again invite Mr. Bernard Lord to appear before it to discuss his recommendations for the Action Plan on Official Languages.
(Motion agreed to unanimously)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We can now come back to the speaker's list or move on to the second motion.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I would like to ask Mr. Lemieux a question because there is something I am trying to understand.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
We will follow the order of the speaker's list.
Mr. Rodriguez, go ahead.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I'm trying to understand. I was listening to Mr. Lemieux. You were upset that we did not hear the witness who was here last week. Is that right?
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Chairman, I said that one witness, Mr. Corbeil from Statistics Canada, appeared before us. We invited him. He is no doubt a busy man, but he took the time to prepare his presentation and he provided us with a lot of information. He also told us he would be here for 9:00 a.m., and he was.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I asked my question through you. Now I have my answer. He wanted us to hear the witness.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
If you don't mind, Mr. Rodriguez, we will give Mr. Lemieux the opportunity to complete his answer.
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
A witness came before the committee and we wasted two hours.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Chairman, it's my turn to speak. I'm asking for a clarification before I can make up my mind. Do you understand what I mean?
Conservative
Daniel Petit Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
He has no time, this is not a debate.
Conservative
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Before continuing with what I have to say, I wanted a clarification from Mr. Lemieux, and I got it. This does not mean that Mr. Lemieux can speak forever and always. I asked for a clarification, I got it, and now I want to continue.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Rodriguez, perhaps we should give Mr. Lemieux the opportunity to finish what he was saying.
Liberal