We're a little bit behind schedule, and our chair is going to be late, so we will start. I call the meeting to order.
The first thing is the public portion with notice of motion, the first one being from Madam Demers.
Madam Demers.
Evidence of meeting #15 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was asked.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Patricia Davidson
We're a little bit behind schedule, and our chair is going to be late, so we will start. I call the meeting to order.
The first thing is the public portion with notice of motion, the first one being from Madam Demers.
Madam Demers.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
When a gave notice, the subject-matter of the motion was quite timely. Events were unfolding. Right now, only the last part of the motion is relevant. I would like the consent of member to delete the first part of the motion, because the Government of Canada has already advised the Karzaï government that it needs to review the proposed legislation.
I would be prepared to delete the first part of the motion and to have us focus on the second part. I will explain why later.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Patricia Davidson
What would your motion read, Madam Demers?
She's going to read it as she would like it.
Conservative
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Madam Chair, this motion is no longer relevant, because the Vatican has admitted and acknowledged that the young Brazilian girl, the doctors who performed the abortion and the girl's mother should not be excommunicated. Clearly, this motion is no longer relevant because the Vatican overruled the statement made by Archbishop Sobrinho of Brazil. Therefore, I can simply withdraw the motion.
Conservative
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Could I clarify that the motion regarding the Vatican is being withdrawn?
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Patricia Davidson
That's my understanding, yes.
That's agreed? The motion is gone. We will move on.
Ms. Neville.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I'm sorry, I was distracted. Are we totally withdrawing Madam Demers' motion?
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Do you want me to read the motion? I assume everybody can read.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Patricia Davidson
I think everyone has a copy of it. Just tell us which one you're referring to first.
Liberal
Bloc
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Ms. Chair, can I just read a point of order.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
It had to do with the motion that Madam Demers just removed and that we all consented to. I think it was a very good idea to withdraw that motion, so I support you in that.
I just wanted to correct the way that Madam Demers explained the reasoning, which is that the Vatican had changed its mind or withdrawn the excommunication. The Vatican hasn't commented any further. They never made a comment on the excommunication of the girl. I just wanted to clarify that. With Madam Demers' comments, it sounded like there had been a change, a recent event, that had brought about this, and I just wanted to clarify that it was not the case.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Patricia Davidson
Thank you. The motion has been withdrawn, so we're not discussing that issue now.