Mr. Julian, go ahead.
Evidence of meeting #100 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #100 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I note that the last time the CRTC appeared, the Conservatives blocked for over an hour their ability to testify, cutting short our time to ask questions.
It appears that the Conservatives are doing the same thing this time. What they want to do is curtail the witnesses and the important questions. I still have many questions to ask the CRTC. I'm very glad they're here, but those are two consecutive appearances now where the Conservatives are trying to block the CRTC from responding to our questions. I believe that's inappropriate.
Again, the Conservatives blocking the CRTC from answering these questions is not in the public interest.
November 23rd, 2023 / 9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Chair, I've tried to remain quiet while Mr. Julian continues to impugn the motives of the Conservative members of this committee. I think Mrs. Thomas was clear that she understands we have witnesses. We only have them for an hour, as far as I know. We're at the end of that time, and she's going to quickly move a motion, which I think is not going to take very much time.
It's not a filibuster, and I wish Mr. Julian would quit mis-characterizing.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I would like to point out, however, that we have not finished the questions. There's one other question left to be asked by the Liberal member. I think that is cutting short the questions we are asking the CRTC.
I think Mr. Julian has a point of order. You have responded to it, but I do think it would be nice to have the last question asked.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Madam Chair, I understand that the motion that we were considering at the last meeting will not be moved, because we have some resolution around the appearance of the Minister of Sport, so I would ask you to ask our witnesses if they're prepared to stay for another hour, because that would give us more opportunity to fully ask the questions that we have to ask of the CRTC.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
That would be out of order, because the agenda says there is only one hour.
I have stretched the hour because I did want to have everyone have a chance to ask a question of the CRTC. What we've done is suggested that one of the questioners shouldn't ask a question due to Mrs. Thomas moving her motion. She could wait until the questioner asked their question and then go ahead and move the motion. She has the time to do it if she wishes.
I would like to see a bit of respect and fairness from this committee so that we don't treat some members of this committee as if they have no authority, no options and no ability to be involved in the game.
Mr. Coteau, you have the floor.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Can I move a motion to move in camera?
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
9:20 a.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Thank you.
Mr. Julian raised an interesting question about courtesy when he asked about checking whether our guests could stay longer. In any event, we are going to get lost in a long debate, whatever the motion is.
If our guests can stay, that is fine. We could hope to do it quickly. However, if our guests cannot stay an extra hour, it would be the least we could do to thank them and release them while we debate the motion.
That being said, even though I am no fan of the idea of interrupting or preventing our Liberal colleagues from asking their questions, if we go strictly by the rules, our colleague Ms. Thomas is entirely entitled to make a motion at this time.
Obviously, it is a matter of courtesy to ask her...
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
She has indeed, and I have acknowledged that. I'm asking her whether she could, out of respect, allow one more question to be asked by another member of this committee.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I have a point of order, Madam Chair.
Both I and Mr. Champoux have asked whether you could ask the witnesses if they're prepared to stay longer.
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
To ask them that, I would need to have consent from the whole committee, if they want to do that.
We have a motion on the floor we have to deal with. All I'm trying to do is get us back in order and ask whether Mrs. Thomas, before she moves a motion, can postpone it while Mr. Noormohamed asks his question. The Liberals have now been cut short of one question in this round. That's all I'm asking.
Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I believe this committee is familiar with the rules. Of course, I can only move a motion when I have the floor. I only have the floor when it's my opportunity to ask a question. As much as your chastising is taken to heart, Madam Chair, with respect, it's wrong to imply that I have the opportunity at the end of the question rounds. I do not. The rules of this committee state that I only have the opportunity to move a motion when I have the floor.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I would like to finish what I am saying.
I'm asking you to let Mr. Noormohamed come in. The motion is still on the floor. I will turn to you, because the motion will be on the floor. That's all I'm asking.
However, there you go. You don't want to see that.
We will deal with Mrs. Thomas's motion.