House of Commons Hansard #56 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was senate.

Topics

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is there unanimous consent?

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

No.

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10:35 a.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Madam Speaker, I have here an article published in the February 20, 2000 issue of Le Soleil . Its title is “Referendum Clarity”.

It says that Joseph Facal, the minister for Canadian intergovernmental affairs, will testify Thursday morning before the members of parliament who have been examining Bill C-20 this week. Incidentally, I want to point out that Mr. Facal is testifying at this very moment before the legislative committee—

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

This is not the time to debate the issue, but to ask for the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

No.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Bloc

Ghislain Fournier Bloc Manicouagan, QC

Madam Speaker, following the introduction by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Bill C-20, which denies the Quebec people their fundamental rights, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document that will enlighten it.

I would like to table—

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is there unanimous consent?

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Some hon. members

No.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC

Madam Speaker, on a point of order. We heard the leader of the government in the House yelling from his seat that the Chair did not need to know the details of everything we want to table with the unanimous consent of the House. Let me refer him to the book of Montpetit and Marleau, on page 501:

The mechanics of requesting and granting unanimous consent must be carefully observed. A Member wishing to waive the usual notice requirement before moving a substantive motion would ask the unanimous consent of the House “for the following motion”, which is then read in extenso .

The member should be authorized by the Chair to read out what he has to say before asking for unanimous consent. This is what is said on page 501 of Montpetit and Marleau.

Points Of Order

10:35 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

I do not see this type of intervention as a motion. I repeat that I would like to hear the title of the articles, the author and then the request for unanimous consent.

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC

Madam Speaker, I always said that the Chair had a gift as far as guessing is concerned, but there is a limit.

Obviously, you cannot consider right away what will be asked as a substantive motion, but you must at least listen to what the hon. member has to say in order to be able to establish whether or not it is a substantive motion.

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

I think that if an hon. member wants to introduce a motion, it would be a good thing if he said so right away. Then, I would be prepared to listen through to the end.

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

Bloc

Hélène Alarie Bloc Louis-Hébert, QC

Madam Speaker, following the introduction by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of a bill denying Quebecers their fundamental rights, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document published in the February 17 issue of Le Devoir , which says “Appearing before the committee studying the federal bill—”

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is there unanimous consent?

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

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10:40 a.m.

Some hon. members

No.

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10:40 a.m.

Bloc

Gérard Asselin Bloc Charlevoix, QC

Madam Speaker, following the introduction by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Bill C-20, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document.

It is the brief submitted by the Regroupement des gens résolument souverainistes to the parliamentary committee of the Quebec National Assembly on Bill 99.

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Thibeault)

Is there unanimous consent?

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

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10:40 a.m.

Some hon. members

No.

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10:40 a.m.

Bloc

Pierrette Venne Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC

Madam Speaker, complying with your suggestion, I would like to inform you how that I wish to make a motion.

The Prime Minister finds it normal, and in keeping with Canada political custom, for Liberal MPs—

Points Of Order

10:40 a.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh.