Evidence of meeting #70 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I would still like to hear what the other committee members have to say about this.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, do you want me to answer my colleague?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Let's hear from the other committee members on this matter; then we'll see.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, in my proposed amendment, November 8 applies to Mike Duheme's appearance. I also ask that “, and invite the Minister of Public Safety” be added. No date is specified in the case of the Minister of Public Safety.
I understand the difficulty of a minister's schedule. If my colleague wants to invite every public safety minister in Canadian history, he can.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
The syntax of the sentence might suggest that it's November 8. This is not clear.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I will give the floor to those who raised their hand.
Mr. Samson, go ahead.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I don't think we will be able to vote on the amendment and the motion before the end of the meeting. Perhaps the amendment should be amended to make it clearer. It is not clear that the Minister of Public Safety must or must not appear before November 8.
The date should be indicated, if it can be done, but I don't think we can expect the minister to be here on November 8, if that's what the committee wants.
I think we need to reword the amendment if the committee really wants to hear from the minister.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I want to make it clear that, even if Mr. Godin wished, he could not amend his own amendment to Mr. Beaulieu's motion.
Mrs. Goodridge, you have the floor.
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We'll continue to debate this issue, but I think it's time to vote on this amendment. I think it's really important to discuss this motion, and I think Canadians want us to vote on it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Before we vote, one last attempt to settle something informally: can we agree to meet with the RCMP commissioner no later than November 8? Then we could find a potential date to invite the minister.
Would everyone around the table agree if we can word the motion that way?
Go ahead, Mr. Samson.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I would like to propose that the Minister of Public Safety appear at a time when his schedule permits.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Two points, Mr. Chair.
First, what you just said is entirely in line with my amendment.
Second, Ms. Goodridge asked for a vote, so I would like us to vote.
Bloc
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
As chair, I took the liberty of asking for unanimous consent; I thought I could do so and that it would be faster. That was my intent.
Mr. Serré, I would like to hear your thoughts on what I just said.
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
I would simply like to have that in writing. I want to be sure the intent is clear.
It is quite simple: as long as there is no specific date to meet with the minister, everyone is in agreement.
October 18th, 2023 / 6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
The problem is that we are talking about this at the last minute.
