Evidence of meeting #23 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
I am trying to take notes, but I am having a bit of trouble because of all the background noise. Out of basic respect for...
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Point of order, Mr. Chair. Would it be possible for Ms. Glover to give you her notes. That way, you would not have as much to write down this morning.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Yes, perhaps. Aha! That is a good idea, Mr. Godin. I will ask Ms. Glover to do so when she is done speaking. Thank you.
Welcome to the committee, Mr. Asselin.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
It is a pleasure to be here as the meeting gets under way. I do not think I have missed much.
Mr. Chair, I would like you to tell me the goals and objectives of the member who is trying to explain to us how the other committees operate, including the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
What I understand from Ms. Glover's comments is that one party supposedly has more speaking time than another or that the speaking time was not allocated in accordance with the order predetermined by the committee. If that is the case, the issue lies with the chair, who would not have managed the committee's proceedings properly.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mr. Asselin, welcome to the committee. As you know, Ms. Glover moved a motion on June 8 having to do with the questioning of witnesses and our routine motion rule. It is therefore a routine motion.
If you would like to contribute to the discussion on the routine motion, I would be more than happy to hear what you have to say. Right now, Ms. Glover is explaining the motion and telling us what goes on in the other committees.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Mr. Chair, if I had received the documents, I would not have asked the question.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Good, excellent. Okay then.
Ms. Glover now has the floor to speak to her motion.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I am totally open to the idea of giving you my notes when I am done speaking, Mr. Chair. Good suggestion, Mr. Godin.
In any case, I will continue with my explanation.
You know, I have to say it's disappointing to see the committee act like this, particularly when Monsieur Bélanger talks about....
Think about those children we appeared before. How do you think they would feel about the conversations going on and the lack of respect in the room and the lack of respect for each member? It's not about parties here. It's about the value that every member feels in this committee. I think everyone is owed a chance to speak so that they do feel the same value as every other member of this committee.
At any rate, let's continue.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates works a bit differently. It gives witnesses five to ten minutes for their opening statement. Then the first questioner of each party is given eight minutes to question witnesses. Thereafter, each party receives five minutes, including the responses of witnesses, in the following order: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party and Conservative Party. There again, this committee makes an effort to give as many people as possible a chance to speak.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts also gives everyone a chance to speak once, except the NDP, which speaks twice.
As for the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, by the third round, everyone has had a chance to speak once, except the NDP, which has spoken twice. It is a lot more fair and balanced. Mr. Godin should be very happy because he would have two opportunities to speak in those committees.
The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security takes an approach where every member of the party speaks once. No one gets to speak a second time until everyone has had a chance to speak once. In my opinion, that system is the most balanced of all of them, and a number of committees work that way.
The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, there again...
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
If you want to carry on a lengthy conversation with one of your colleagues, I would ask you, for the third time, to please take your conversation out to the hall.
Conservative
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Chair, when I am shown respect, I will show it to others. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
This is so cheeky of you. Just move away from the table, Mauril.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Give us something interesting to listen to. This repetition is filibustering. She doesn't want to deal with an important report. Shame.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Allow me to explain. I like to be able to hear what is being said. When there is constant buzzing in the back, it is hard for me to concentrate. With all due respect, Mr. Bélanger, I would ask you....
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
...to show the committee members some respect so that our proceedings can run smoothly.
