Official Languages Committee on Oct. 29th, 2024

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

I understand, Mr. Chair. However, requiring a parliamentarian to apologize in the House of Commons is a sanction, in my opinion. I believe the motion is out of order, since it calls for there to be a consequence for a parliamentarian. Personally, I believe this amounts to imposing a sanction.

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

The floor is yours, Mr. Lightbound.

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Louis-Hébert, QC]

In theory, a decision of the chair, like the one you have just made, may not be debated. There is a mechanism for challenging a decision of the chair, and Mr. Godin is familiar with it because he has used it in the past. This kind of arguing is not the procedure to be followed, as I understand it.

As well, the motion is not binding, in my view.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

You are entirely correct, Mr. Lightbound, and thank you for reminding me.

I have made my decision, Mr. Godin, but I do thank you for your comments. They were on point.

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

However, I have not finished addressing this. I would like to resume my speaking time so that—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Fine, but I have made my decision: the motion is in order.

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

In that case, I challenge your decision, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Fine, we will move to a vote.

(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 7; nays 4)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, you said you wanted to continue speaking after the challenge to the chair's decision.

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

Yes. I will still be speaking about procedure, Mr. Chair.

What I tried to do was to close the debate on the motion, given that we have witnesses present for our study of the minority-language education continuum. This is a very important study. It was the Conservative Party that moved that the committee do this study, and our other colleagues around the table were receptive to it. I think it is important.

Mr. Chair, we had a chance to spend time together at the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones convention held last week in Prince Edward Island. I think this is very important.

I therefore ask that debate on the motion be adjourned.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I am therefore going to ask the clerk to proceed to the vote on adjourning debate on the motion.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Chair, I don't understand what is happening. I know there is a vote, but why is there one?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin has asked that debate on the motion be adjourned, so that is what the vote is on.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

If I recall correctly, since I—

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

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. I think—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Wait, Mr. Godin. Mr. Iacono is addressing the chair, so I am going to listen to him.

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

I understand, but the procedure is that we have to proceed to the vote right away, with no more comments.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Yes, but it—

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I said I don't understand why we have to proceed to a vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I explained—

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

Are you going to—

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Chair, are you going to let me finish?

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

Are you going to educate all the members of the—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, I have not given you the floor.

Mr. Iacono, the floor is yours since you had a point of order.