Evidence of meeting #4 for Subcommittee on Private Members' Business in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.)

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Dara Lithwick  Committee Researcher

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

This is the fourth meeting of the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs for the determination of non-votable items, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1).

11:05 a.m.

Dara Lithwick Committee Researcher

Today's bill is Bill S-213, An Act respecting Lincoln Alexander Day. It came from the Senate, so we will just look at one criterion here today: whether a similar matter has been voted on by the House in the same Parliament.

In this case, a similar matter has not been voted on by the House in the same Parliament. There were questions raised, as there is a bill at first reading, Bill C-563, An Act respecting a Lincoln Alexander Day, but this bill has not been voted on yet, so it does not pose a problem.

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

Does everybody agree that it's votable?

Mr. Toone.

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

I just wanted to ask one quick question. Because Bill C-563 was presented at first reading, I guess this bill might have been inspired in part by that. I would be interested to see where the two bills might have conjoined each other.

In any event, I'm glad that the Senate has come up with this, seeing that the House of Commons didn't have a chance to debate it. What would be the impact of Bill C-563 if ever we got around to a second round?

11:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

Dara Lithwick

This bill is now in the order of precedence, so this bill will precede it. If that bill were to come up, it would basically fall off the order.

11:05 a.m.

NDP

Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Okay.

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

I'm just curious. You know how many bills, not unlike this one, come before us to designate a day to honour a specific person or cause. Are there any other causes on that day or events that are being celebrated? What effort do you make to investigate or determine whether it conflicts with the national celebration of some other thing?

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

I think that's our—

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

That's not our responsibility...?

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

No. You could have six of them, I understand, but it wouldn't be up to us to determine.

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

On the same day? So that could just be an issue at committee if this gets past second reading.

11:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

All right.

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

Yes, it's not a holiday. It's just the designation of a day. It might fall on National Tree Day, right? Is that what you're thinking?

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Frank Valeriote Liberal Guelph, ON

That's what I'm thinking, and it won't matter.

11:05 a.m.

Committee Researcher

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dave MacKenzie

Yes. It won't matter.

So the consensus is that we go ahead, right? Okay.

Now I need the subcommittee to present a report listing those items that it has determined should not be designated non-votable and recommending that they be considered by the House. All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.