Evidence of meeting #38 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 point.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Denis Chartrand  President, Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l'Ontario
Sophie Bouffard  President, Université de Saint-Boniface
Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Michelle Legault

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Just a moment. Mr. Godin had a point of order.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Chair, I just wanted to point out that Ms. Ashton was doing exactly what Mr. Beaulieu was doing earlier.

We're not judging; we have an opinion.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Right.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Opinions are being expressed. I think they both have the right to express themselves; that's also important.

That said, I don't believe either of them was at that committee.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Precisely. Everybody is working in good faith, I don't want to chastise anybody, but if we can, let's limit our comments to the subamendment. That way we can get back to Mr. Beaulieu who has other subamendments to propose.

Mr. Beaulieu, please go ahead, on your own subamendment.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Mr. Godin seemed to suggest that I'm adapting my subamendment to allow parties to invite their witnesses. I don't know if it's possible to do that.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

No, you can't do that. We are talking about your subamendment, as you sent it to us in writing.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

All right.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Chair, he could do so if he obtained unanimous consent.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

One moment; I'll check on that.

There are two possibilities. One, with the unanimous consent of the committee, you could withdraw your amendment and propose a new one; or, again with the unanimous consent of the committee, we could add more witnesses as per your subamendment.

Is that how you'd like us to proceed, Mr. Beaulieu? I'd be happy to ask for unanimous consent.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Yes, let's see if there's unanimous consent. I'd just like each party to be able to—

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

I want to be sure I understand you correctly, Mr. Beaulieu. In your subamendment, you're asking to expand the list of witnesses. Is that correct?

1 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

Yes. Otherwise, a point could be added to allow each party to determine which witnesses should be given priority in the same period.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

If there's unanimous consent, it will pass; otherwise we will go back to your subamendment and vote.

Is there unanimous consent?

1 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON

No.

The filibuster continues. What's going on here is terrible.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

You're right, Mr. Serré. There is not unanimous consent.

Is there any further discussion on the proposed subamendment?

Mr. Beaulieu, go ahead.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC

I just wanted to respond to Mr. Serré, who mentioned a filibuster. I personally think that his motion is a kind of filibuster.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Let's focus on the subamendment. Are there any other questions? We will proceed with the recorded vote, Madam Clerk.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

It's up to you, Mr. Chair.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Do you have a proposal, Mr. Godin?

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Chair, the committee can choose between a unanimous vote, adoption by consent or a recorded vote. Is that correct, Madam Clerk?

1 p.m.

The Clerk

There's a vote by a show of hands, a recorded vote or unanimous consent.

1 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

We request a recorded vote, Mr. Chair.

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

We will therefore proceed with a recorded vote on Mr. Beaulieu's first subamendment. Go ahead, Madam Clerk.

(Subamendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1. [See Minutes of Proceedings])

1 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Mr. Beaulieu, as I had indicated, you may continue to present your subamendments.

Please go ahead.