Subcommittee on Private Members' Business Committee on June 15th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

So we're clear? There is no bill currently before the House that's the same as Bill C-391, and I'm going to ask for a motion then to agree to allow this one to stand.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Let's go to a recorded vote, Mr. Chairman, and then I'll have some comments to follow that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We'll have a recorded vote.

Madam Gagnon.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

I want you to tell us what we are voting on so that it is perfectly clear.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We've voting on whether or not Bill C-391 is votable as a private member's bill.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Madam Jennings.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

So--sorry--there is going to be a motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

There will be a motion. I will have to ask for a motion.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Will it be a motion to negative? Is that how it works?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Well, we'll have to decide. Someone is going to have to make a motion one way or the other.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

I see. Okay. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Madam Jennings.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

I have participated in subcommittee meetings in camera. Is a recorded vote normal? I have no problem, but is that normal practice that you have a recorded vote when you're in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Madam Jennings, we are not in camera, just to clarify. This is a public session.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

Well then let's go for a recorded vote. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Okay.

Mr. Reid.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Somebody has to make a motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

That's correct. Are you prepared to make a motion?

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Well, it's automatically acceptable unless someone makes the motion that it not be acceptable.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

A point of order, Mr. Chair. Why are we not in camera? We were told that we would be.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

The notice that went out clearly indicated that it was a public meeting. I've checked with the clerks, and there are no rulings indicating that the private members' subcommittee needs to meet in camera. On that basis, we called the meeting as a public meeting.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Did you make that decision by yourself?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

As chair, I called the meeting as public after discussing with the clerk whether it was procedurally possible.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

So let us ask to be in camera.