Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Nancy Vohl
Good afternoon, my dear committee members. I see a quorum.
I must inform you that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the Chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, entertain points of order, or participate in debates.
We can now proceed to the election of the chair.
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party.
I am now prepared to receive nominations for the Chair.
Mr. Drouin, the floor is yours.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I nominate my distinguished colleague René Arseneault for the position of Chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Drouin that Mr. Arseneault be elected Chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
The motion passed by the House specifies that I must conduct a recorded vote, unless the committee clearly gives its consent that the motion be carried.
Is it the pleasure of the committee that Mr. Arseneault be elected to the position of Chair of the committee?
(Motion agreed to)
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Arseneault duly elected Chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
First of all, thank you very much for this unanimous appointment and for your welcome.
I have been on the Standing Committee for Official Languages for six years. I will try to measure up to our previous chair, Mr. Dubourg. I have big shoes to fill because he did great work.
We can now proceed to the election of the vice‑chairs.
We will start with the vice‑chair from the official opposition.
Mr. Gourde, the floor is yours.
December 15th, 2021 / 3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lévis—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to nominate a worthy man, my Conservative colleague, Joël Godin, for the position of first vice chair.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
No. I know that these motions do not need seconders, but I just wanted to say that he will be an excellent vice-chair.
Liberal
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I would be pleased to accept, Mr. Chair. I want to be on your team.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Do we have to hold a vote or do we have unanimous consent?
(Motion agreed to)
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, normally, as the clerk, I receive motions for the election of the vice‑chairs.
Liberal
The Clerk
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition.
I am ready to receive motions for the election of the second vice-chair.
Mr. Dalton, you have the floor.
Conservative
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
I nominate Mr. Beaulieu, from the Bloc Québécois, for the position of second vice‑chair.
The Clerk
Mr. Dalton is nominating Mr. Beaulieu.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Beaulieu duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Congratulations, everyone. Welcome to this wonderful committee.
After six years here, I can indeed say that it is a truly wonderful committee. It is here, in my opinion, that the most unifying values of our great Canada shine the brightest.
Madam Clerk, is there anything else you would like me to talk about? Do you want me to talk about the division bell? It could start ringing at any moment.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I'd like to make a comment: we have no representative from the NDP.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Now we can hear the bell. So we have 30 minutes before we go and vote.
Do we have unanimous consent for the committee to continue to sit for at least 20 minutes?