House of Commons Hansard #43 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fair.
The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie
The hon. member for Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord has 30 seconds to ask one last very brief question.
Jonathan Tremblay NDP Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, so much remains to be said.
Where is the urgency? We are talking about the future of this country and this House. The next election will be in four years' time. Where is the urgency?
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB
Madam Speaker, absolutely there is urgency. As the government House leader has explained, in February the Statistics Canada census numbers are revealed and a process begins. If we are to move forward on adding seats to the under-represented provinces to move every province closer to representation by population, we need to move the bill forward. We have made the commitment to move this bill forward, to pass the bill and complete the entire process within our mandate.
The formula is a principle-based formula. It is fair for all provinces. It is important that we move forward.
The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie
It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith the question necessary to dispose of the motion now before the House.
The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Agreed.
No.
Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Yea.
Bill C-20--Time Allocation MotionFair Representation ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Nay.
The Deputy Speaker NDP Denise Savoie
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Call in the members.
Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON
Mr. Speaker, although the Minister of State for Transport was in his chair, he was not in his seat when the call for the vote occurred and, therefore, his vote should be discounted.
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Mr. Speaker, I was going to rise on the same point of order. Although some members of the House may not have noticed, I sneaked in just after you began the vote. I concur that perhaps in this case my vote should be withdrawn.
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, before the minister made that comment, I was rising to my feet to say that, given the responsibility that we have to accommodate, his vote should be allowed to stand.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
The minister of state has indicated that he was not in his place at the correct time, but is it the will of the House to allow his vote to count?
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I wish to inform the House that because of the proceedings on the time allocation motion, government orders will be extended by 30 minutes.
The House resumed consideration from November 2 of the motion that Bill C-20, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. For the record, I appreciated that there would have been unanimous consent in the House but I refused that consent to allow my vote. I appreciate the sentiment for accommodation but, a the end of the day, the rules are the rules and they must be followed, regardless of who the individual is or why the individual missed the timing, which is why I refused the unanimous consent.
I do appreciate the sentiment of the House, which was to allow the vote. It makes for an interesting philosophical debate, and I am thankful.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
The House appreciates both of the sentiments on the particular question.
The hon. member for Windsor—Tecumseh on debate.
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Mr. Speaker, I will not be taking up the rest of my speech because I need to be in committee at this point.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
The hon. member had 18 minutes left. However, if his speech is finished, we should have questions and comments.
The hon. member for Winnipeg North.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have one very brief question to the member.
I am curious to know what the NDP position is regarding the Conservative proposal that we increase the overall number of seats inside the House of Commons. Does the NDP have a position as to whether we should be increasing the number of seats?