Evidence of meeting #144 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was point.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
It was said that it would be two hours and 21 days.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
That's true, but they agree that it should be a three-hour appearance within three weeks.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
We're looking for unanimous consent to swap Madame Sinclair-Desgagné's motion with what Mr. Perkins put forward.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Excuse me, Mr. Chair. The unanimous consent I'm seeking is for the committee to adopt my motion immediately.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Okay. There's just a little bump. What was sent to the members said two hours, not three, so what is it you would like?
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Just for information, Mr. Chair, what we had negotiated behind the scenes, in the hallways behind this room, was a two-hour appearance within 21 days. However, I'm suddenly learning that it's a three-hour appearance. For us, it's—
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
No, it's not outrageous, but I would like us to keep our word and stick to what was negotiated behind the scenes, that's all.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Yes, I think we should settle on two hours. This will ensure that the member comes back. We've already had an hour.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
All right, let's stick to a two-hour appearance, according to what was sent.
I therefore propose an appearance for two hours within 21 days. Do I have unanimous consent to adopt the motion?
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
On a point or order, the interpreter said, “invite”, but my understanding was “summon”.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
The motion uses the expression “assigne à comparaître” in French, which is equivalent to “to summon” in English.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
So it was an error in interpretation.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
The motion was sent to your emails, and it contains the word “summon”.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
You have the copy.
I'll hear you in a second, Ms. Yip.
We're looking for unanimous consent to approve this motion as it has been distributed. The witness will appear within three weeks for two hours.
Go ahead, Ms. Yip.
Liberal
Jean Yip Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
I just want to make sure we're all on the same page. Can we just read out loud what the motion is, just to make sure?
I'd like it to be read in French as well.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Sure. I will do that.
I'll read it in both official languages.
The motion in French reads, “Que le Comité assigne Navdeep Bains à comparaître devant le Comité pour une durée de trois heures, sur le rapport de TDDC dans les 21 jours suivant l’adoption de cette motion.”
Then in English, it says, “That the committee summon Navdeep Bains to appear before the committee for two hours, on the matter of SDTC, within 21 days of the adoption of this motion.”
Mr. Drouin, you have the floor.
Liberal
Francis Drouin Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Thank you. I would just like a clarification.
If we ask for unanimous consent to adopt Ms. Sinclair‑Desgagné's motion, does that mean that the motion we've debated at length is set aside?
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
Actually, I'm still on the list to speak to the privilege motion. We're continuing the debate, but it will be adjourned very soon, by the way.
Liberal
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
No, I'm not kidding. I'm going to ask that the meeting be adjourned.
Liberal