Public Safety Committee on Dec. 14th, 2021

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Are there further comments?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

I really think this is a good discussion and an important one to have. I myself have been hearing a lot about Huawei and have some concern around it also.

At the same time, I believe we've seen our security agencies protect Canadians. I have full confidence that they will do so, especially on this very important matter of domestic security. I also recognize how this is somewhat of a complex issue. It involves both domestic security and some level of international relations. We have seen clear signals from the government that a decision is imminent and forthcoming. We all know that this question has been out there for a while, but the language around the timing of this decision is whittling down.

For that reason, I trust that a decision is around the corner. For this reason, I won't be supporting this motion brought forward by our colleague.

I just wanted to go on the record on that point.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Colleagues, we are within a minute or so of our prescribed end time. Is there another comment from a member of the committee?

Do we have majority consent to adjourn the meeting?

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Chair, there are hands up for discussion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

I don't see hands up.

Mr. McKinnon, is that you?

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

It's Mr. Chiang.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Mr. Chiang, you have the floor.

[Paul Chiang, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

As a former police officer, I'd like the committee to be focusing on gangs, crime and the gun violence in our country. It is very important for us to focus on that, because of gang violence. We need to work on that instead of looking at Huawei. Our government is doing a study on that, and they will be working on that component. I would vote against it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Thank you.

Is there other commentary? I see the time is one o'clock, except in Bomber land, where it's noon.

Do we have a sense that the meeting should adjourn?

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

No. I have a comment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Can we adjourn the meeting, Clerk?

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Yes, go ahead, Ms. Dancho.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Chair, we don't give our consent to adjourn.

I know the Liberal members have already put on the record that they're not supporting the motion, so I suggest that we vote on the motion. Many of them have already expressed that they won't be supporting it, so let's vote. That's my recommendation, Mr. Chair, and then we're free to adjourn, from our perspective.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Clerk, where do we proceed from here? Do we move a motion to adjourn?

[The Clerk]

As long as there are speakers, sir, we need to keep going. Mr. McKinnon and Ms. Damoff have raised their hands.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Clerk, I move that we do now adjourn.

[The Clerk]

Can I proceed with the vote, sir?

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

You may.

[The Clerk]

The question is on the motion moved by Mr. McKinnon. I will take the vote.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Chair, I misunderstood what we were voting on. If I can correct my vote, I'm voting to adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Yes, I think that was clear.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Thank you.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Chair, I have a point of clarification, if I may.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jim Carr]

Go ahead.