PROC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 3:34 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Gary Goodyear, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Marcel Proulx, — That the Committee proceed to the order of business regarding allegations made against the Conservative Party of Canada's systematic attempt to defraud Elections Canada, as well as the Canadian taxpayer, in relation to the 2006 federal election.

The debate continued.

The Chair proceeded to rule on the point of order raised by Scott Reid at the meeting of Monday September 10, 2007.

RULING OF THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled that the notice of meeting was in order as it met the requirements of Standing Order 106(4) and the subject matter was within the Committee's mandate.

The Chair further ruled that it would not be appropriate for the committee to undertake a study on the proposed motion and that it was inadmissible because of its specificity and defined terms of reference.

The Chair also informed the Committee that under the subjudice convention, members must be cautious not to do or say things that could prejudice any legal or quasi-judical proceedings.

Whereupon, Marcel Proulx appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division: YEAS: Tom Lukiwski, Pierre Poilievre, Joe Preston, Scott Reid — 4; NAYS: Omar Alghabra, Paul Dewar, Michel Guimond, Richard Nadeau, Marcel Proulx, Karen Redman, Lucienne Robillard — 7.

Marcel Proulx moved, — That the Committee consider the request signed by four (4) members pursuant to Standing Orders 106(4) before considering any other business.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after “That” with the following:

“the Committee on Procedure and House Affairs conduct a thorough study of the electoral financing and use of transfers of all parties and their respective local campaigns, including the 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006 federal campaigns and that this committee report its findings to the House”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Poilievre and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Tom Lukiwski, Pierre Poilievre, Joe Preston, Scott Reid — 4; NAYS: Omar Alghabra, Paul Dewar, Michel Guimond, Richard Nadeau, Marcel Proulx, Karen Redman, Lucienne Robillard — 7.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Marcel Proulx, — That the Committee consider the request signed by four (4) members pursuant to Standing Orders 106(4) before considering any other business.

The debate continued.

At 6:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.