Transport Committee on May 18th, 2017

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

No, it's about Mr. Badawey's proposition.

Actually, I want clarification so that I may take a position on the proposition.

In the thirty minutes during which we must give instructions on the drafting of the report to the analysts, will the draft be postponed to the next meeting, or indefinitely? Will the Committee request an extension?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

That is a good question.

Mr. Badawey, you have the floor.

[Vance Badawey, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Unfortunately you are correct that now that we're going to see an extra witness for an extra hour, the intent would be that, following that witness and following that hour of, I'm sure, testimony as well as questioning, we can then proceed to giving drafting instructions to the clerk and to the analyst.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

So, to clarify...

[Vance Badawey, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

It's somewhat of a moot point now, because we have added an extra hour onto the process.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Aubin, you have the floor.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

This is part of the operating rules of a committee. Thirty minutes were set aside, but we did not add time. As for me, I cannot add half an hour to my schedule today to participate in the discussion regarding the instructions to be given to the analysts. The session will have to end at the usual time.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

That would indeed be the case if there were no unanimous consent from the Committee members.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

There will be no unanimous consent. It's impossible, I have another appointment.

[Vance Badawey, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

Really? Come on.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Is there a point of order?

No?

[Vance Badawey, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

I'm just providing clarification, because it's obviously needed.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

There are two issues on the exact same level on the agenda. This is a peculiar situation. So I will ask now if you wish to continue listening to the witnesses.

I ask that all those who wish to continue listening to the witness raise their hand.

Who is against?

I conclude that we will continue with the questions.

Mr. Rayes, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you Mr. Chair.

Can you tell us where we stand? I admit I am still reeling at the idea that the report must be done and sent to the Standing Committee on Finance on Friday without having had the chance to express our views. Yesterday, someone decided on our behalf that we would not have any recommendations to submit.

Are we going ahead with the closed proceedings?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

We just voted to continue listening to the witnesses until the end of the meeting.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

So we will have absolutely no chance to share our recommendations before the end of the meeting. Is that correct?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Aubin, you have the floor.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I don't want to question your authority: I just want to understand why you gave priority, by way of vote, to the questioning of the witnesses instead of preparing the case. By voting for one, we are forced to vote against the other. That was likely not my intention, but I was faced with a dilemma.

Are we following the procedural rules?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

It's quite simply that the first person to raise a point to ask to hear the witnesses was Mr. Badawey.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

So, I did exactly what had to be done to decide on the next issue on the agenda.

For the moment, Mr. Rayes has the floor.

Mr. Rayes, you have five minutes remaining.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

I don't know if the clerk could help us with this, but I truly have the feeling that we are in a dead-end.

From what I understand, the analysts must draft a report on the Infrastructure Bank by tomorrow and submit it to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Do we have until tomorrow to make recommendations?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

The president decided to share the Committee's position with the president of the Standing Committee of Finance. It is therefore the decision of the president. There are no other reports on the agenda regarding the Infrastructure Bank.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Please excuse my questions, but I want to know if a document wrongly dated sent on our behalf without our consent has any legal standing.

[Vance Badawey, Liberal, Niagara Centre, ON]

What are you doing?