Evidence of meeting #23 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was heard.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
I'd like to bring this meeting to order. This is meeting number 23 of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. We're continuing with our study of Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry), which was referred to us on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.
We are continuing to debate a motion that is on the table.
My speakers' list indicates that Mr. Rathgeber had the floor. We will continue with that.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
On a point of order, Chair, as is the custom here, we leave time to address motions that have been brought before the committee at least two days in advance. Unfortunately, the bells began ringing just as we were about to address the motion that I'd brought to the committee two days in advance of our prior meeting.
I'm more than happy to continue with the discussions that are taking place; however, I'd like to be secure in the knowledge that in the last 15 minutes we will address the motion that was properly brought to the committee two days in advance. We are addressing a motion that was brought from the floor, as opposed to motions that had been brought to committee's attention two days in advance and according to the rules.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Okay. Let me suspend for a minute to consult the clerk. Before I do, I'll say that I understood we were dealing with the motion that stemmed from the first 15 minutes, throughout the entire meeting. We had 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for motions, so--
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
No. If you check the agenda, you had set aside 15 minutes, but it was only for one of the two motions.
Now I've been told there is actually a third motion that has been brought to the committee--
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
--and I'm sure we could schedule the time for that particular motion as well.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Okay. Let's suspend for a moment while I consult with the clerk as to the proper procedure.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Let's reconvene.
In consulting the clerk, I am advised that motions are generally dealt with by consensus. If we can get an agreement, we could spend the last five minutes, or whatever time you think would be appropriate, to deal with that, but we would require a consensus.
If we don't, then we could set aside a time at a future meeting, such as next Tuesday's, or any other date that would be acceptable to the members of this committee.
I put that to you. Do you want to deal with the motion in the last five minutes today or would you prefer as a committee to put that forward to a future meeting?
Mr. Norlock.
Conservative
Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I've been on this committee going on about four and a half years, I guess, and when the member of the opposition, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, says it's the tradition of this committee.... In the four and a half short years that I've been on the committee, it has not necessarily been the practice.
It occurs sometimes. At other times, committee business supersedes it, or there isn't an agreement and the committee goes on with other business until such time as it's appropriate to deal with that. I think that's the advice the clerk has given you.
Conservative
Rick Norlock Conservative Northumberland—Quinte West, ON
And I think it's accurate advice.
It's inaccurate to say that something is the habit of this committee, to say that we always deal with notices of motion or motions that have been brought forward 48 hours before.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
I don't know if we need any more discussion on this. I can put it to the committee if you wish. We can deal with it in the last five minutes today if we have consensus.
Mr. MacKenzie.
Conservative
Dave MacKenzie Conservative Oxford, ON
To give everybody their due opportunity, we should really move it over to Tuesday. On Tuesday we are going to be studying the report on Corrections, so I think it would be appropriate to leave it until then.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
We'll leave some time at the end of the meeting.
Ms. Mourani.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask that my motion also be heard next Tuesday. I have already tabled a motion.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Roger Préfontaine
Could you repeat what you just said?
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Since we will deal with Mr. Wrzesnewskyj's motion next Tuesday, I would like us also to deal at that same time with the motion I have tabled some time ago.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
The clerk has informed me that there are actually three motions before the committee. I suggest that we consider these at the end of our meeting on Tuesday. We might need half an hour if we do all three. Is that in order?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
Okay. We'll put it on the agenda, Mr. Clerk, for next Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Okay. Let us now return to the business of this--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Garry Breitkreuz
You probably received it in your office. I don't have the motions in front of me but there are three.
Mr. Holland.
Liberal
