Parliamentary Speeches
4,697 speeches by Chris d'Entremont — Page 75 of 94
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Oral Questions
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 usin… Read full speechShow less
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.
Oral Questions
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]
Government Orders
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?
Government Orders
[Chair read text of motion to House]
Government Orders
I declare the motion carried.
Government Orders
I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised on May 5, 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 d… Read full speechShow less
I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised on May 5, 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.
Routine Proceedings
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. (Motion agreed to)
Routine Proceedings
Before I go on to questions and answers, I apologize to the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount for pointing him out. He is my favourite astronaut, so I took the opportunity. When great Canadians are here, I have to do that. It looks like he might have a question. Questions and comments, the hon. member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount.
Routine Proceedings
The question is on the motion. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Routine Proceedings
Call in the members.
Routine Proceedings
I declare the motion defeated.
Routine Proceedings
Pursuant to order made on Monday, May 2, the motion is deemed adopted. (Motion agreed to)
Government Orders
Do we have unanimous consent?
Government Orders
The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Government Orders
Order. The hon. member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou on a point of order.
Government Orders
I will keep speaking in English and hope that the translation will come through. It seems to be resolved. The parliamentary secretary has the floor.
Government Orders
I do not know if we always go to the first one standing, but the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan beat everyone to it. Questions and comments, the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.
Government Orders
Before we continue debate, I know the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands did have her hand up first. I have to admit that. However, I know the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, among the six Conservatives who stood up, was first in that round. That is just to clarify.
Government Orders
I am hopeful that this kind of discussion will continue this morning.
Government Orders
Resuming debate, the hon. member for Perth—Wellington.
Government Orders
The amendment is in order. Moving on to questions and comments, the hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader has the floor.
Statements By Members
We of course welcome all our guests in the gallery today. The hon. member for Windsor West.
Statements By Members
Happy anniversary. The hon. member for Gatineau.
Oral Questions
I think someone has their microphone on. Let us make sure everybody has their microphone turned off. If we have learned anything over the last number of months, it is to keep our microphones and cameras off. The hon. parliamentary secretary.
Oral Questions
That is all the time for question period this week. The hon. government House leader.
Oral Questions
Pursuant to order made on May 2, the minister's request to extend the said sitting is deemed adopted.
Routine Proceedings
Is it agreed?
Routine Proceedings
Is it agreed?
Routine Proceedings
The member for Joliette on a point of order.
Routine Proceedings
Following the point of order raised by the member for Joliette, I would like to provide clarification concerning Bill C-19, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures. The member noted that the paper copy of the bill obtained in the lobby differed from the version found on the parliamentary web site. It would seem that there are so… Read full speechShow less
Following the point of order raised by the member for Joliette, I would like to provide clarification concerning Bill C-19, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures. The member noted that the paper copy of the bill obtained in the lobby differed from the version found on the parliamentary web site. It would seem that there are some pages missing. Consequently, he asked which version is the correct one. He asked the Chair for clarification concerning the rules. The Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel was consulted, and I would like to assure members that the first reading copy that was signed by the minister and the Clerk contains all the clauses of the bill. The problem seems to be with the reproduction of the advance copies available in the lobbies. The Speaker notes that these copies are provided by the government so that members can read the key provisions of the bill. After first reading, the bill is published officially, which might change the pagination and line numbers of the version used for the purposes of the House of Commons. The copy placed in the lobby is therefore not the official version published under the authority of the Speaker. The version available on the LEGISinfo website is verified by the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel before it is put online.
Government Orders
That is all the time we have for this today. When we return, the member will have eight minutes remaining in questions and comments. It being 1:30 p.m., the House will now proceed to the consideration of Private Members' Business as listed on today's Order Paper.
Private Members' Business
Questions and comments. There being none, next on the speaking list is the hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.
Private Members' Business
I thank the member for his intervention. The question is on the motion. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair. The hon. parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.
Private Members' Business
Pursuant to order made on Thursday, November 25, 2021, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, May 18, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions. It being 1:40 p.m., there is no other business before the House. The House stands adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 1:40 p.m.)
Routine Proceedings
Is that agreed?
Government Orders
I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. (Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)
Government Orders
I have a small correction to make. I did not learn French; I come from a community with Acadian roots.
Government Orders
The amendment is in order. Questions and comments, the hon. member for Outremont.
Statements By Members
I really like these S. O. 31s. These statements are awesome, but I have to remind folks not to acknowledge the presence of somebody in the gallery, although I am glad she is here. The hon. member for Niagara Centre.
Statements By Members
Of course, as always, we recognize and are happy that people are joining us here in the House of Commons today. The hon. member for Saskatoon—Grasswood.
Oral Questions
Order. Thank you. The hon. Deputy Prime Minister.
Oral Questions
Is it the hon. chair of the Afghan committee or the hon. vice-chair?
Oral Questions
Members can only ask questions about the agenda of the committee, unfortunately. The hon. Minister of Immigration.
Oral Questions
Let us clarify the question. The member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound can re-ask the question.
Oral Questions
We are getting into debate here again. I believe the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands also has a point of order.
Oral Questions
That is all the time we have for question period today. I am sure we have a couple of points of order. The hon. member for Sturgeon River—Parkland.
Oral Questions
I thank the member for his intervention. I would give the opportunity, but I would say that we all have to be careful about what we say. Our words are important in the House of Commons for all Canadians. The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean.
Government Orders
[Chair read text of motion to House] If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair. The hon. member for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek.
Oral Questions
I am already hearing some members say no. I still want to ensure that there were discussions among the parties.
Oral Questions
I will let the hon. member continue.