OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met in a televised session at 3:37 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, the Chair, Leon Benoit, presiding.

The Minister made a statement and, with Ralph Heintzman and Edward W. Keyserlingk, answered questions.

At 5:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:24 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to clause by clause on Tuesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m..

It was agreed, — That the members of the Committee submit to the Clerk of the Committee all of their proposed amendments to Bill C-11 no later than 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2005.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

I rule that the motion in the name of Joe Preston moved on June 14 is out of order as it questions the integrity, honesty or character of a Senator and is contrary to Standing Order 18 and Marleau-Montpetit page 522.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the Committee recommend that the government undertake all necessary measures to collect forfeitures resulting from wrongdoings by any person of Alexis Nihon REIT in their dealings with Public Works and Government Services of Canada.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

I rule that as this motion is simply a revision of the motion of Mr. Preston so that it may be considered in order, and that given as it is within the same spirit and intent as the previous motion, that the forty-eight (48) hour notice requirement is deemed fulfilled by the notice period of the motion before it was revised.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained" was put and was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Meili Faille, Guy Lauzon, Pat Martin, Pierre Poilievre, Joe Preston, Benoît Sauvageau — 6; NAYS: David A. Anderson, Mark Holland, Diane Marleau, Francis Scarpaleggia, Paul Szabo — 5.

Francis Scarpaleggia moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Public Works and Government Services of Canada” the following: “once the Senate Ethics Commissioner has given his opinion on the matter”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Francis Scarpaleggia and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: David A. Anderson, Mark Holland, Diane Marleau, Francis Scarpaleggia, Paul Szabo — 5; NAYS: Meili Faille, Guy Lauzon, Pat Martin, Pierre Poilievre, Joe Preston, Benoît Sauvageau — 6.

On motion of Pierre Poilievre, it was agreed, — That each member wishing to speak on the motion be given 3 minutes to speak and that each member be given one opportunity to speak on the motion.

Paul Szabo moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “Public Works and Government Services Canada” the following: “subject to hearing appropriate witnesses as submitted by members of the Committee”.

Paul Szabo moved, — That the Committee adjourn at 7:00 p.m..

Benoît Sauvageau moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “7:00 p.m.” the following: “and that all votes to dispose of the motion of Mr. Poilievre be put at that time”.

At 6:37 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:43 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair ruled the motion of Mr. Sauvageau to be out of order as it seeks to qualify an adjournment motion.

Benoît Sauvageau moved, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: David A. Anderson, Meili Faille, Mark Holland, Guy Lauzon, Diane Marleau, Pat Martin, Pierre Poilievre, Joe Preston, Benoît Sauvageau, Francis Scarpaleggia, Paul Szabo — 11; NAYS: — 0.

At 6:54 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.