Evidence of meeting #76 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Again, Mr. Chair, we have witnesses who have incredibly intense workplaces. They're doing so much for us on public safety. I would ask that we release them.
I'm saddened by that, because there are so many people, as Madame Michaud just said, in terms of the bill...and how important it is to get the bill adopted, but I know they all have work to do. I think we're being disrespectful just having them listen to a Conservative filibuster rather than letting them get back to the work they have to do on behalf of Canadians.
I'd ask that they be released.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
I think I'm going to change my position from last time and agree with Mr. Julian. I don't think Mr. Shipley or the Conservatives are genuine in saving witness time. We have all these witnesses before us, and we should let them go.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
This is on the same point of order, Chair.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you, Chair.
I would have had a better plan for saving the witness time, which would have been that if the chair considers the matter at hand to be this matter, then we should have scheduled the meeting on committee business or on this matter and not invited the witnesses.
I would happily agree to dismiss the witnesses. I would say that, going forward, it would be wise for the chair to respect witness time by not inviting witnesses who are going to appear on a matter different from the matter that is actually the matter at hand before the committee, in his view.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you, Mr. Genuis.
Substantial time having passed since the last time we considered this question, is it the will of the committee to invite the witnesses to leave or to be released?
6:20 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
We can release them with an apology, perhaps, Mr. Chair.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I am speaking. I have the floor.
I would like to apologize to all for wasting your time yet again. It is a serious matter that we have before us to deal with Bill C-20. We are trying to get it done and we are doing our best. The alternative is to capitulate to matters that are out of our control.
With apologies, I will continue to invite you and continue to schedule this matter. Hopefully, we will get it done sooner rather than later. I do heartily thank you for your time and for having to put up with committee in this way. Thank you to all.
Please feel free to depart, if it is your wish. If you want to stay for the show, you're welcome to do that as well.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Could you commit to bringing cookies for the next meeting? If there is still a filibuster going on, at least they'll get something out of it.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Chair, Ms. May has had her hand up for quite some time. I just wanted to point that out.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Chair, I have a point of order when you're—