Official Languages Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

My colleague Michael Chong is very knowledgeable about the parliamentary process. He told me that when a study is requested, it may or may not include a report.

If everyone agrees, we can add the obligation to write a report to Mr. Arseneault's motion. The clerk can simply take note of the small sentence to be added, and we'll move on.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

I agree.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

We're not going to fuss for three days to make this decision.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

That's our suggestion to the clerk.

However, as Mr. Angus mentioned, we must follow procedure.

Basically, as I understand it, the committee is agreeing to produce a report after those three meetings.

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Yes.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Chair, I am going to throw some sand in the gears. I like things to be clear.

If we agree today, then let's put it on paper. We do not know what will happen. If the report is attacking the government, the NDP, the Bloc Québécois or the Conservative Party, maybe somebody will oppose it.

There will be a study, and we all agree. We should make it clear that a report will be produced.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Okay.

Ms. Lambropoulos, you have the floor.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Could I suggest Friday, February 28, as the deadline for submitting a list of witnesses for next week?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Wait a minute, Ms. Lambropoulos.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I mean that for this study next week, we have to invite witnesses.

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Let's just finish this thing about the amendment for the report, and then we'll go to the other—

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

It's already there.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Didn't we already agree that we're not amending the report?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

No, we're not amending it—

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Okay, it's here.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

—but bringing in a new motion.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I didn't see that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

It's already on the first report.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm sorry.

[The Chair, Liberal, Emmanuel Dubourg]

Mr. Arseneault, you have the floor.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I firmly reiterate this motion, which was so well read in my mind by the clerk.

[The Clerk]

Repeat after me: “I move that—”

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I move that—

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

I swear.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I propose that, at the end of the next three days devoted to the study of rights holders, including witnesses, we produce a report to be submitted to the House of Commons.