Public Safety Committee on May 27th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 108 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

Pursuant to the order of reference referred to the committee on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the committee is resuming its study of Bill S-210, an act to restrict young persons' online access to sexually explicit material.

Before we begin, I would like to ask all members and other in-person participants to consult the cards on the table for guidance to prevent audio feedback incidents.

Please take note of the following preventative measures in place to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. Only use a black approved earpiece. The former grey earpieces must no longer be used. Keep your earpiece away from all microphones at all times. When you are not using your earpiece, place it face down on the sticker placed on the table for this purpose.

Thank you all for your consideration.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format.

I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of members and witnesses. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.

First, we have some bills to pay. The clerk distributed on Monday, May 6—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, can I raise a point of order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Mr. Genuis, go ahead on your point of order.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

I know there's been some disagreement about aspects of the agenda over the last few meetings, but there have been some discussions among the parties. We may have an agreement; we may not. I want to propose something, and see if there's unanimous consent for it, and where we are at.

I propose that there be unanimous consent for the following: That the draft report on the Bernardo prison transfer be immediately distributed; that the report be considered at the next meeting of the committee; that the chair seek additional resources in the week of June 3 for the study of S-210; and that the Minister of Public Safety be invited to appear for two hours in the week of June 10, with one hour dedicated to auto theft and one hour dedicated to the main estimates, and that the Minister of Transport be invited to appear separately for one hour on auto theft.

I think that has been distributed, and I'm hoping there might be agreement on it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I see no unanimous consent. It's back to business.

The clerk distributed on Monday, May 6—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Chair, I have another point of order. I wonder if I could propose.... Is it possible to have a five-minute suspension for discussion on that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Why don't we get through a little bit of this, and then we'll go back to it. Maybe raise another point of order to see if we can do that.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The clerk distributed on Monday, May 6, and May 24, a draft budget on Bill S-210 in the amount of $15,000.

Does the committee wish to adopt the budget? Can I have a show of hands?

(Motion agreed to)

Similarly, I note that the deadline to report Bill S-210 to the House is Friday, June 7.

Is it the will of the committee to request an extension of 30 sitting days for the consideration of Bill S-210 and that the chair present a report to the House? May I have a show of hands on this, please.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

No, there isn't, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

All in favour?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, it's not a vote. You can't call a vote. If you're moving the motion, I'd like to speak to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The chair is entitled to seek guidance from the committee whenever—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You cannot end debate on it, and this will be an issue in the House if you do, Chair. You can't end debate on it.

If this is a matter to be debated, then I'd like to debate it.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Make it an issue in the House.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You cannot arbitrarily cut off speakers or limit debate on a matter before the committee. That's a clear violation of the Standing Orders, and it is appealable to the House.

If you'd like to move that an extension be requested, then I would like to speak on that matter, and I will be heard.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

I'm not making such a motion. I'm asking for guidance from the committee.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

There is not agreement of the committee.

There are two ways that committees come to decisions, either by agreement or by a motion. If there is a motion before this committee, then I wish to speak to it.

You cannot get agreement of the committee when members dissent unless debate ends. That is how the rules work.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

The decision of the chair is to seek advice of the committee on this matter.

Do you wish to challenge the chair on the matter?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Chair, I wish to speak on the motion before the committee. You need to respect the rules. This is not allowed, and I will speak to the motion. If you're putting a motion on the floor, on an extension, I wish to speak to the motion.

The committee has before it a number of matters to consider, and those matters—

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.