Evidence of meeting #78 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.)
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
The meeting is now public.
With the consent of committee members, I invite Mr. Samson to introduce his motion.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
The motion is as follows:
That the Committee invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and/or departmental officials to present and explain the Department's Action Plan: Enhancing the Bilingual Capacity of the Superior Courts.
The only point I would add is that this meeting should be held as soon as possible. It would be ideal if the minister could come on Tuesday. Otherwise, it should be Thursday at the latest, since we are finishing up our report.
4:45 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Christine Holke
I will send out the invitation this evening.
November 2nd, 2017 / 4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Chair, I understood that my colleague wanted to introduce an amendment. I second it.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. Choquette, do you want to move an amendment to Mr. Samson's motion?
4:45 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Yes, Mr. Chair.
We previously discussed this among ourselves on another occasion, but I believe that, if we want to invite someone to address this matter, it is important that it be the Minister of Justice or a parliamentary secretary. This is a policy we want to examine. Since policies come from the government, we should hear from government representatives rather than officials. The officials on their own will be able to tell us nothing about this policy.
I think it would be good simply to replace "and/or" with "and". The Minister of Justice would thus be in attendance during the first hour, and we would hear from the officials during the second hour.
Furthermore, when hearing from ministers, we usually indicate that we would like the meeting to be televised, if possible. I think we can add that point, including the words "if possible", since we never know what will happen.
It is up to Mr. Samson to decide whether we can make an acceptable amendment or whether we must bring the matter to a vote.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
In fact, the only amendment would be to add mention of a parliamentary secretary. The motion would thus be that we invite either the Minister of Justice or a parliamentary secretary, "and/or officials". If that is what you are moving, I agree.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
The word "or" should be deleted from "and/or" and only the word "and" retained.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
In short, you want the committee to invite the minister, a parliamentary secretary, and officials.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
No. It would be the minister or a parliamentary secretary and officials.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
It would be a two-hour meeting divided into two parts.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
I see. Then we would have the minister or a parliamentary secretary for one hour and the officials for the other hour.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
We should also request that the meeting be televised.
4:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Yes.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Both for the amendment and for the motion.
(Amendment carried)
(Motion carried as amended)
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
That is all for today. We will see you will next Tuesday.
Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.
