Evidence of meeting #69 for Public Accounts in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Roy Bloc Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Yes, Mr. Chairman, because I asked to speak earlier.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
I've made a ruling. It was to move back to the agenda and the first item of business here, and so on. The proper procedure at this point is to determine whether the committee agrees with that decision to move to the regular scheduled business, which is to deal with the Auditor General's report. I'm going to ask the committee at this point whether they accept that decision or not.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Well, this is a way of challenging the chair, right here and now.
Okay, we're going to have a vote. If you're challenging the chair's decision, the way to deal with it is to vote down the chair.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Okay, we'll have a recorded vote on it.
Why don't we resume dealing with the orders we have today and deal with the report on technology? If I'm overruled on this, then he will be successful in his challenge to the chair.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
A point of clarification.
We are not voting on the motion to hear the former lieutenant-governor, but on the motion to hear from counsel.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Order.
We have a recorded vote, and it is fairly plain. The question is whether we proceed to Standing Order 103, chapter 3, “Large Information Technology Projects”, from the November 2006 report of the Auditor General of Canada. I made the decision that we would move on to that.
What's your point of order?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
You've made the ruling, and the motion we're voting on right now is whether we sustain the chair. That's all we're voting on. It's on whether we sustain the chair.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chairman, with regard to the motion on the table, I challenge your decision to end the debate. We should vote on this issue.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
The vote should be on your decision to end the debate, which is contrary to the standing orders.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
We're proceeding to a recorded vote on this matter, and that's the agenda right now, so let's get on with it.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Mr. Chair, in fairness, Mr. Laforest was challenging the chair. We need to have a vote on whether we sustain the chair's ruling or not.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Mr. Chairman, I'm serious about the fact that the Constitution of Canada is involved here. You took this matter under advisement to seek guidance and to come back to this committee. The motion that Mr. Laforest is putting forward.... He's not going to give you time to consult on a serious constitutional matter. And I find it an affront to the whole committee and to the Parliament of Canada that he is not going to give you, the chair, the opportunity to consult people on a matter of this magnitude.
My recommendation to you, Mr. Chairman, and you've already ruled on this—
4:45 p.m.
Bloc
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Order. You'll get your chance. Your name is on the list.
4:45 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chairman, we should be discussing the fact that I am challenging your decision, and not the substance of the motion. Mr. Williams is debating the substance of the motion.
When I challenge your decision, there should be no other discussion, Mr. Chairman.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Order. You name is on the list, Mr. Laforest, and so is Mr. Roy's.
4:45 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Roy Bloc Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Furthermore, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Williams made grave and serious accusations, and I am demanding an apology.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Brian Fitzpatrick
Mr. Roy, you're out of order.
Have you anything more you wanted to say, Mr. Williams?
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
John Williams Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
It seems rather strange that we would want to overturn your decision to seek advice, Mr. Chairman. It would overturn your decision to be careful and cautious in this decision.
We're not saying that we cannot bring the person. We can only say to let us find out if it is appropriate to bring the person.
Now, let us act with a little bit of decorum and a little bit of wisdom.