Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 29th, 2013

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Chair, as I was trying to say earlier, I might make another motion to the clerk to discuss what could be a friendly amendment to Mr. Gill's motion that we also invite, at the same time, a limited number of stakeholders, so that we also hear the other side of the coin, the other side of the story, as to how this is not working. Since 2006, although new money has been allocated, this is not what's reflected in the community.

Should my friend across the way—the parliamentary secretary—wish to, he can open his motion again that we put in the parameter that not only do we invite officials, but we also invite stakeholders, which is paramount. I can hear one side of the coin. I also want to hear the other side of the coin about why this is not working.

Consider that either a friendly amendment or a motion.

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I think that would be a motion.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I'm seeking unanimous consent, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Let's agree, Mr. Karygiannis, that you're making a worthy suggestion and that your suggestion will be acted on.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

No, Chair. Let me put it this way. I'm seeking unanimous consent that at the same time that we are asking officials to come to present to us, that we actually—either at the same meeting or at another meeting following that—ask the stakeholders to come and give their point of view.

It's either a friendly amendment or a new motion, and I'm seeking unanimous consent, a recorded vote, that we do that.

Or 48 hours....

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Mr. Karygiannis, I've been very patient during this meeting because I learn when you speak. But there is a bit of a problem with your amendment.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I have a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

I'd like to finish what I have to say.

There is a problem with the amendment you're proposing. The problem with your amendment is that it's an amendment to a motion that doesn't exist. Why doesn't it exist? Because one member of this committee refused unanimous consent for the motion to exist. So there cannot be an amendment to a motion that doesn't exist.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Chair, my colleague might want to bring it forward again, if he wishes to have that amendment in, at which point I'm sure if you sought unanimous consent you might find it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

If we're going to have a series of orderly meetings, we can't develop a principle of putting toothpaste back in the tube. Each of us has to assume his own responsibility for the decisions we make here and for the votes we take.

I'm not going back there.

Thank you.

Mr. Hawn.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The point of the first meeting is to get the officials and get to what is the program, and that's an educational program. That's not the point of the debate. We can ask some questions, and that's fine. But it's not a point of getting into debate about this side or that side. It's a starting point from the Government of Canada, which, like it or not, is us. But it's a starting point where everybody can be on the same playing field.

Obviously, at meetings after that we're going to hear from stakeholders on all sides of the issue for as long as we want to take. This is not to cut that off at all. It's just a starting point that is simple common sense.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Okay.

Mr. Karygiannis, you have your hand up.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

I'm just wondering, Chair, if I might in that case serve the clerk, through you, with 48 hours' notice that I will be bringing forward a motion that this committee seek individuals to come and give us their point of view on what the department says. This would be something that we can discuss at the next meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

Mr. Gill.

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have a request.

I put forward a motion, for which we received unanimous consent to proceed, and we're obviously discussing topics other than this particular motion.

I would encourage all members to please stay on topic and discuss the motion currently on the floor. We haven't voted on this yet.

[Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

You didn't have unanimous consent to vote on it.

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

We have to vote on it if we received unanimous consent to debate it. We've debated and now we have to take a vote on it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

We're now dealing with our meeting at the cenotaph at 11 o'clock on the 5th of November. I felt that there was agreement around the table. If there is a need for a vote, I'm calling for it now. All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

The vote confirms my impression.

Mr. Gill.

[Parm Gill, Conservative, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I move to adjourn.

[The Chair, Conservative, Royal Galipeau]

The meeting is adjourned.