Official Languages Committee on March 7th, 2023

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Godin's proposal is acceptable, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Right.

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

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

It seems to me that a meeting requested under Standing Order 106(4) can take place outside a normal meeting. So we don't have to consider it, as you have chosen to do, to be a normal meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I didn't choose it, Mr. Beaulieu. That is how it works, according to the comments we have heard.

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

I am told that a meeting requested under Standing Order 106(4) can take place outside a normal meeting. It is an emergency meeting. So it should not be considered to be a normal meeting. If we consider that there was an hour and a half left, to finish the eight meetings scheduled before the initial motion, and we add two meetings, that makes four meetings.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

If I understand Mr. Godin's calculation correctly, we are talking about adding three and a half meetings, if there are no technical problems.

Is that right, Mr. Godin? Are we talking about adding six and a half hours?

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

In fact, I proposed seven hours, but my colleague is saying six and a half hours.

We need to verify with Ms. Ashton whether that achieves the objective of her amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

The committee can do whatever it wants in terms of unanimity.

Ms. Ashton, you have the floor.

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

I completely agree with the six and a half hours.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Chair, I just want to be sure of something. We have not yet seen the motion.

Has it been circulated? If so, that's fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

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

I can agree to us having four more meetings, but what is important is that we be able to debate clause 54.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

We are not talking about the same thing, Mr. Beaulieu.

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

If there are four meetings, but we do nothing to make sure that clause 54 is considered, we will not be able to do it, and the opposition parties that support the application of Bill 101 to federal businesses will not be able to get that done.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, you have the floor. Please be brief.

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

Mr. Chair, in fact, my colleague is right.

In the motion I am proposing, I refer to clause 54. Ms. Ashton's motion refers to the number of meetings, but she says nothing about clause 54. After adopting her amendment, we can vote on the motion, which will provide for fewer meetings, in accordance with Ms. Ashton's motion. Then, clause 54 will be considered, and if people want to vote in favour, they will do so. If they want to vote against, they will do so.

We shall see who wants to talk about clause 54.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Mr. Godin, I'm going to make sure we are talking about the same thing. We are talking about six and a half additional hours in addition to debate on section 54 at the end.

Is that what you are proposing?

Are there other comments on this subject?

Ms. Ashton, you have the floor.

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

On this point, my support is for the six and a half hours.

In terms of procedure, I don't know how that affects specific clauses. Obviously, we know that it's an important clause.

I think we need to add hours in order to complete our consideration at this point.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you.

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

That is why I have proposed this amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Does everyone understand what Ms. Ashton just said?

Mr. Godin, we are not talking about the same thing.

If there are no further questions, I will call the vote.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

I just want to understand something. We are now voting on Ms. Ashton's amendment.

Is that right?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I will repeat.

We have to start with the vote on Ms. Ashton's amendment, which proposes to add six and a half additional hours, nothing more.

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

I want to see the motion. We haven't seen it.

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

Mr. Chair, I have something to say.