Status of Women Committee on Oct. 26th, 2006

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Then you're adding another preamble of your own.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

This is open for discussion at the table. There shouldn't be a hammer brought down and everything you guys want. We should have a conversation here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

You're suggesting we include that in the preamble?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

If we can add it in the bolded comment, if we can add that to the motion....

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

It then becomes a complete motion on its own. At the next meeting, you might want to bring in a motion of your own stating your objectives and concerns. That's a possibility, to try to get the issues you want on the record, if I could suggest that.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Madam Chair, could we vote on the first amendment and then see what the result of that is before we vote on my second amendment, which may be valid?

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

So the first vote is going to be.... Would you clarify what your first amendment is on the record?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Sure. The first amendment is to have the preamble removed from the report and to go with the bolded as the motion, because it is the motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Okay. Do you want a recorded vote on that--

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Yes, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

--or do we just vote on it? A recorded vote.

Ms. Guergis--

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

I want to understand one thing. Earlier, the clerk said that the preamble, the “whereases”, aren't part of the motion. Is that correct? So we're voting on an amendment that doesn't exist?

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

It's not part of the motion, but it becomes part of the text of the report.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Ah, that's part of the text! Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

So Ms. Guergis has moved an amendment that the report not include the preamble. Can we have a recorded vote?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Madam Chair, my second amendment--

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

And your second amendment, Ms. Guergis, please.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

--was to add to the preamble.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Would you read it out, please?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Sure. It reads:

Whereas we recognize that all women are equal in Canada under the Constitution and we recognize the strength of women in Canada;

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Do you want that included in--it's up to Ms. Minna, it's her motion, if she'd like that included in the preamble.

Could you read it out again, Ms. Guergis?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

It reads:

Whereas we recognize that all women are equal in Canada under the Constitution--

--and perhaps “and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms”--

and we recognize the strength of women in Canada;

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

And where would you like that put in?

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

It can be at the bottom or the top or in the middle--just somewhere.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Do we need Ms. Guergis to read it out again?

Who would like to speak to the amendment? Would you repeat that again slowly, please?