Evidence of meeting #48 for Public Safety and National Security in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
I think what that means is that the chair may not vote, except for and unless there's a tie.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Is there any discussion on the amendment to clause 19? That would be LIB-11.1.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Dianne Lynn Watts Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Guys, there you go.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Clause 19 as amended agreed to)
(Clause 20 agreed to)
(On clause 21)
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Clause 21 is a fairly lengthy clause with six parts. We have a number of amendments which have been proposed. The first one we would consider would be LIB-12.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I will move the amendment. It's amending the reporting so it would include the number of times in the preceding year that ministers exercised their discretionary authority to stop a review from proceeding under clause 8.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
The next one we will deem moved. It is from the Green Party, amendment PV-6.
Ms. May, would you like to speak to that?
3:40 p.m.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Thank you. I would, Mr. Chair.
My next amendment is also directed to the same thing, somewhat in the alternative.
The intent here is just to remind people when we get to the power of a prime minister in the first reading version of the bill, under subclause 21(5), the “Prime Minister may direct the Committee to submit” to himself or herself as Prime Minister a revised version of the annual or special report.
My amendment is that “the Prime Minister may advise the Committee to submit”. It's an attempt to ensure that the committee, bearing in mind that the committee is empowered to maintain state secrets, is fully confidential in its makeup, and the goal is to ensure that it's the committee, not the Prime Minister, who makes the decision about exactly how the revisions are conducted. The Prime Minister may “advise” as opposed to “direct”. That's the essence of my amendment.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
I want to make sure the committee is aware of that.
We're considering PV-6. Would anybody like to comment on it?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Amendment PV-7 would then be in order. It is now deemed moved.
3:45 p.m.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Again, this is an alternative approach to the same goal, in that the Prime Minister may advise the committee to submit as opposed to.... It's a change in language with the same purpose, to change from the Prime Minister directing, to the Prime Minister advising.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
Just a note to remind folks if, not for this one, but I was a little worried about CPC-10, but I'm advised it will be eligible, if it's passed or defeated.
3:45 p.m.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
I think CPC-10 has very little to worry about at this point, but I wait to be amazed.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Tony Clement Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
Can we clarify once again that if PV-7 passes, CPC-10 is still in order.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
We're going back. Sorry. This has just been brought to my attention. For the record, to bring up an issue with respect to Ms. Damoff's amendment, LIB-12, which has passed, it has as its final point, item (d)(ii) “decided to refuse to provide information under subsection 16(1).” Since clause 16 no longer exists, it would be problematic because the numbering will change. It refers to nothing. We just want to state, on the record, that it refers to nothing.
If I had unanimous consent, I could revert to consideration of LIB-12, or it could be done at report stage, if someone wanted to do it there.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Mr. Chair, I'm going to recommend we address the issue at report stage.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
We don't have unanimous consent. We'll simply let that stand. Thank you, clerks, for advising us of that.
Moving on, we have said CPC-10 will be eligible to be moved, even if PV-7 is adopted.
On amendment PV-7, is there any further discussion?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
I understand there may be an amendment that we do not have in front of us which is being presented.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
There is. I'm just wondering if you would like to wait until the end to deal with that. It deals with after line 11, so do you want to wait until we've done the other ones to deal with this one or do you want me to read it in?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Rob Oliphant
I'm being advised by the clerk that LIB-12.1 should be moved now. I understand that if it is adopted, NDP-9 or CPC-10 could not be moved, so we could discuss LIB-12.1 now.
Ms. Damoff.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I move that Bill C-22, in clause 21, be amended by adding after line 11 on page 9 the following:
(5.1) If the Committee is directed by the Prime Minister to submit a revised version, the revised version must be clearly identified as a revised version and must indicate the extent of, and the reasons for, the revisions.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I just want to say that it is, in essence, Mr. Rankin's amendment with some minor wording changes. I've spoken to Mr. Rankin, and he is in agreement with the changes that we've made.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Tony Clement Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
That's interesting. I'm just wondering why this was necessary, rather than supporting CPC-10, because you're saying exactly the same thing.
