Official Languages Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2022

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you.

I also think it's important to clarify that we may oppose the amendments being proposed. It seems quite clear to me that we're wasting time discussing amendments rather than putting them to a vote.

As I said about 15 minutes ago, I have a proposal to make to alter the dates so we can have a realistic agenda, one that suits our calendar. Certain members of the committee clearly don't want to move on to that stage. I'm opposed to the amendment moved on that subject. I'd like to go to a vote so we can resolve this major situation or dilemma and move our study of Bill C‑13 forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Ms. Ashton.

Yes, we need to proceed one step at a time. That's how we'll be able to keep track.

I'll give the floor to Mr. Godin first, and then it will be Mr. Beaulieu's turn.

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

I agree with the comment made by my colleague Ms. Ashton, who is participating virtually in this meeting.

She said that some members aren't cooperating in moving this matter forward. I won't accept any blame for that because, once again…

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, I—

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

…if we erase our differences and start over, we'll be able to do so on a more productive basis. What stands to gain from that? The French language.

I know that Canada has two official languages, English and French, but French is the more vulnerable of the two.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's great, but—

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

So that's my focus.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I will ask all the members to focus on Mr. Beaulieu's second sub-amendment.

Do you wish to add anything to that, Mr. Beaulieu?

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

I just want to say that, if we had preserved the initial understanding among the opposition parties, we wouldn't have had all these problems since—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I'll stop you there, Mr. Beaulieu.

I'm going to start being more strict—

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

So I'm going—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We are focusing on your own sub-amendment.

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

Then let's vote.

You can't tell me I don't compromise.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Good.

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

Mr. Chair, I would just like to take you back to June 13 of this year. A motion had been adopted, point e. of which read as follows. I'll read it out loud so I'm not accused of being in bad faith.

e. the committee meet in camera after 20 sessions with witnesses to discuss…

We were talking about dates at the time—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I'll stop you there, Mr. Godin.

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

Why?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We are on the second sub-amendment. Do you have an argument you want to advance regarding the sub-amendment proposed by Mr. Beaulieu?

I just want to prevent you from—

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

Mr. Chair I will yield to your authority as chair and wait for another opportunity to repeat what I just said. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

That's good.

Are there any further comments on Mr. Beaulieu's second sub-amendment?

(Sub-amendment negatived: nays 10, yeas 1)

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Beaulieu, you still have the floor to discuss your third sub-amendment?

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

The third sub-amendment concerns point 4 of Mr. Godin's amendment. I move that the words "no later than Tuesday, November 29" be replaced by "the meeting following the final witnesses." The result would read as follows:

4. the committee proceed with clause-by-clause consideration of the bill the meeting following the final witnesses.

That's essentially my last sub-amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Go ahead, Mr. Godin.

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

Mr. Chair, my colleague Mario Beaulieu's sub-amendment is relevant. It's consistent with what we proposed in the notice of motion, which has now been made public. I think it's entirely logical to act in that manner. We can't submit amendments until the witnesses have completed their testimony. If we want to proceed to clause-by-clause consideration, we'll have to wait until the testimony phase is complete. Then we can begin clause-by-clause consideration.

Since I don't know whether it's time to do that, you'll be able to remind me if I exceed my speaking time. I'd like to discuss the clause-by-clause consideration. May I do so?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

You may since that's part of this sub-amendment.