Evidence of meeting #50 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
That is not a point of order, and again I'll ask all committee members to try to stay relevant to the deferral motion.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
It is very relevant, Mr. Chairman. A procedural motion to defer until such time can be dilatory, as you've said. It can also be a very necessary procedural amendment, because we have not had consultations and the committee is being asked to make a decision of significant importance to amend an act that's been standing now for a long time. This matter of universal privilege--
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We hear the bells ringing. We had a ruling today, the clerk has advised me, that we are able to suspend this committee to vote. I'm not sure what group makes that decision. Oh, it's the House of Commons—a fine group, I'm told. I suggest we suspend and reconvene 15 minutes after the last vote.
Mr. Volpe.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
5:30 p.m.
NDP
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We will reconvene 15 minutes after the final vote. It's not debatable.
6:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Welcome back. Thanks to everyone for your timely return.
We're continuing to debate the motion put forward by Monsieur Bélanger.
I'll defer to Mr. Volpe.
6:40 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
During our brief recess some of us got together and discussed a possible direction for this committee--the other members on this side of the table, and perhaps on the other side as well. If a motion is required—I think one will be forthcoming—we should suspend the hearing until Monday, when we will dispose of the motions that are before the committee.
6:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
My understanding was that we would be dealing with the motion by Mr. Bélanger today.
6:45 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Mr. Bélanger's motion has been characterized by some as a dilatory motion. It might be a long evening discussing that motion before we get to the substantive motion.
I don't speak for any other member, but I think there is a willingness to suspend the meeting so we don't have to start all over again. That suspension will end on Monday when the meeting resumes. At that time the dilatory motion will be dealt with, as will a substantive motion. It won't happen right at that instant, but we won't be spending the next three months dealing with a dilatory motion. I think that was where we were headed. We want to deal with things.
6:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Mr. Volpe, you're suggesting we suspend today's meeting, resume on Monday at our regular scheduled meeting, and that the dilatory motion before us now, the amendment, and the motion be dealt with on Monday.
Monsieur Bélanger.
6:45 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
We shouldn't have any illusions here. We can carry on tonight, and who knows how long it will go and what we'll achieve. I don't know. I'm not in the habit of doing that, and I'd rather try to be constructive.
My colleague suggested we suspend the meeting as it is until 3:30 on Monday. Those who have a keen interest in this—from all sides or not—could find out if there's a common ground. Give the goodwill around this table time to find a common ground, and if there's no common ground we'll continue. Or we can carry on tonight, but I have a funny feeling that tonight might be long and might not breed a lot of goodwill--it might eat up a lot of goodwill.
So I am hoping—and I'm quite prepared to move it—that we can suspend the sitting until 3:30 on Monday. In the interim, hopefully there will be enough discussion among some parties and some members of the same party that some common ground can be found to move ahead.
It's a leap of good faith. Perhaps some members are not prepared to make it, and I respect that. It involves essentially no commitment beyond the fact that—I'm quite prepared to proceed on Monday, but I'm hopeful that between now and then there can be enough noggins used and efforts expended to come up with some common ground that can be acceptable to all.
6:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
In the spirit of cooperation, I would certainly move a motion.
6:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I'm discussing the possibility of moving a motion.
