SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 72

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 16, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 72 - May/16/22
Hon. Dominic LeBlanc (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Lib.)
  • May/16/22 3:12:03 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-14 
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his continued interest in improving Canadian democracy. I would urge him to work with us to pass Bill C-14, which, as he correctly noted, is before the House of Commons now, to ensure that every province has the right representation in the electoral boundaries redistribution process under way. I know he is very excited to have the report from the Chief Electoral Officer on the most recent election. We share that excitement, and we look forward to working with all colleagues in this House to make elections more accessible in every possible way.
103 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:12:45 p.m.
  • Watch
That is all the time we have for question period today. I think we have a couple of points of order. The hon. member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman.
30 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. James Bezan (Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, CPC)
  • May/16/22 3:12:56 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to draw something to your attention. I am sure you saw that the member for Waterloo was in violation of Standing Order 16(2) and Standing Order 16(3), which state: (2) When a member is speaking, no member shall pass between that member and the chair, nor interrupt him or her, except to raise a point of order. (3) No member may pass between the chair and the table, nor between the chair and the mace when the mace has been taken off the table by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The member for Waterloo definitely crossed between you and the table when the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry was speaking. We need to maintain decorum here, as you often try, and the member for Waterloo definitely turned the tables today.
136 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:13:30 p.m.
  • Watch
I believe the member for Waterloo has a comment on this.
11 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Lib.)
  • May/16/22 3:13:35 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I did. I was in the way, but I wish the member would spend more time actually advancing legislation improving the lives of Canadians in place of these points of order. I apologize for causing him such— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
45 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:13:50 p.m.
  • Watch
Order, please. There are standing orders and rules of the House. Members should not pass between the Chair and the speaker, and of course the mace as well. Let us all try to follow that practice. The hon. member for Longueuil—Saint-Hubert.
44 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Denis Trudel
  • May/16/22 3:14:21 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. There have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion: That this House reiterate that Quebec is the sole master of its language policy and that it call on the federal government to not impede or restrict—
62 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:14:40 p.m.
  • Watch
I am already hearing some nays, so there were no discussions. The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
19 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP)
  • May/16/22 3:14:56 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations with other parties, and I believe if you seek it, you will find consent for the following motion: That the House: express its horror at the hate-fueled mass shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo, New York; extend its deepest condolences to the families, friends and communities who lost loved ones; and reaffirm the need to confront racism, white supremacy and hate in all their forms.
73 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:15:26 p.m.
  • Watch
All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. Hearing no dissenting voice, it is agreed. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
41 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
  • May/16/22 3:16:01 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I also rise on a point of order. It is about unanimous consent. In the debate earlier today, the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent said several times that I opposed something that I had not opposed. I want to put on the record that when there is consultation between the parties, there needs to be consultation. I not only did not get advance notice, but I did not hear what the member for Mégantic—L'Érable said. I have expressed it to the member for Mégantic—L'Érable and he understands— An hon. member: Debate. Ms. Elizabeth May: I am sorry, but this is not debate. This is a point of order, because I have been denied unanimous consent on every non-controversial and sometimes deeply personal matter, such as being able to rise to pay tribute to my friend of 40 years—
155 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:16:51 p.m.
  • Watch
I want to make one comment on this before I recognize a few other people. Unanimous consent motions are being abused in the House of Commons. Those motions used to be before question period, and a number of years ago the House adopted the forum to use Statements by Members. I urge each and every member of the House of Commons to use Statements by Members to get their points across rather than using unanimous consent motions as they are being used today. I cannot stop it and it will continue to happen, I am sure, but I do hope we use them for the opportunity they actually are, which is to get the unanimous consent of the House.
119 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:18:19 p.m.
  • Watch
Following discussions among representatives of all the parties in the House, I understand that there is unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the shooting in Buffalo, New York. I invite hon. members to rise. [A moment of silence observed]
47 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:20:09 p.m.
  • Watch
It being 3:19 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion by the member for Wellington—Halton Hills relating to the business of supply. The question is on the motion. Shall I dispense? Some hon. members: No. [Chair read text of motion to House]
65 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:23:52 p.m.
  • Watch
I declare the motion carried.
5 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Blaine Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe, CPC)
  • May/16/22 3:36:05 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, if you seek it at this time, I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move: That the membership of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be amended as follows: Mr. Kelly McCauley for Edmonton West for Mr. Steinley for Regina—Lewvan. The Deputy Speaker: All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. Hearing none, it is agreed. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
93 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/16/22 3:36:48 p.m.
  • Watch
I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised on May 5, 2022, by the member for Simcoe—Grey concerning alleged ministerial interference in the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. When presenting his question of privilege, the member explained that he had received an email chain meant for members of the Liberal Party in connection with the preparation of instructions for the draft of the committee's report. While recognizing that this is normal party practice, he said that he was concerned to learn that the staff of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship was actively involved in drafting these directives. The member alleged that such interference in the work of the committee meant that ministerial staff were trying to steer the direction and manipulate the analyst's work. In his opinion, he believed that this is contempt of Parliament. For his part, the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader remarked that it is normal for the political staff of a parliamentary secretary who is a member of the committee to provide advice on a report in order to ensure an approach consistent with governmental policies. He argued that they are merely suggestions and not an attempt to constrain the members or dictate the work of the committee's analyst. The parliamentary secretary suggested that it is premature to raise this question of privilege since the committee has not presented a report to that effect. The crux of the problem raised by the member for Simcoe—Grey is that the minister's political staff participating in the discussions about the committee's report supposedly somehow deprives the House and, by extension, the committee of its right to govern its own proceedings, as mentioned by the member for Salaberry—Suroît. The Chair takes every allegation of interference in the proceedings of the House and its committees seriously, and it analyzes each case based on the facts presented to it. In this case, the situation described by the member does not seem highly unusual when a committee reviews a study, begins to plan the drafting of the report and discusses possible instructions. The members of a committee can consult stakeholders, interest groups and even their political colleagues before formulating their recommendations. It is not immediately obvious to the Chair how such discussions could constitute a breach of members' privileges, especially since there is no indication of confidential information's being shared or of threats or intimidation. A committee that deems it appropriate to submit certain problematic aspects to the Chair's attention can follow the normal process by presenting a report to the House. It is therefore impossible for me conclude that there has been a breach of the rights of the House or that a contempt has been committed. I therefore consider the matter closed. I thank the member for the intervention.
482 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • May/16/22 3:39:51 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 14 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
35 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Lib.)
  • May/16/22 3:40:23 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114. I intend to move concurrence in the seventh report with the agreement of the House later this day. I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in relation to its study on the main estimates for the fiscal year 2022-23.
95 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Lib.)
  • May/16/22 3:41:15 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
33 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border