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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 120
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 4:53 p.m. to 6:38 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Hon. Hedy Fry, Chair (Liberal)

House of Commons
• Philippe Méla, Legislative Clerk
• Jean-François Pagé, Legislative Clerk
 
Library of Parliament
• Marion Ménard, Analyst
• Liane Tanguay, Analyst
Department of Canadian Heritage
• Blair McMurren, Director General, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
• Flavie Major, Director, International Affairs and Human Rights, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the committee resumed consideration of Bill C-316, An Act to amend the Department of Canadian Heritage Act (Court Challenges Program).

The witnesses answered questions.

The committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 (short title) and of the Preamble are postponed.

The Chair calls Clause 2.

On Clause 2,

Taleeb Noormohamed moved, — That Bill C-316, in Clause 2, be amended by replacing lines 10 to 16 on page 2 with the following:

“(a.1) establish and implement the program referred to in section 7.1 of this Act and paragraph 43(1)(c) of the Official Languages Act that is administered by an organization independent of the Government of Canada; and”

Debate arose thereon.

Marc G. Serré moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the word “Canada” the following: “and whose purpose is to provide funding for test cases of national significance to be brought before the courts to clarify and assert constitutional and quasi- constitutional official language rights and constitutional human rights that are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms”.

At 5:04 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:07 p.m., the sitting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Marc G. Serré and it was agreed to.

Rachael Thomas moved, — That the amendment, as amended, be amended by adding after the word “Canada” the following: “and that the program be overseen by a board of directors composed of members appointed following consultations with each of the political parties represented in the House of Commons”.

The Chair ruled the proposed subamendment inadmissible because it infringed on the financial initiative of the Crown, as provided on page 772 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.

Niki Ashton moved, — That the amendment, as amended, be amended by adding after the word “Freedoms” the following: “and the Canadian Human Rights Act”.

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed subamendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.

Rachael Thomas moved, — That the amendment, as amended, be amended by adding after the word “Canada” the following: “, and for which the selection criteria shall be made public and the final selection decision shall be tabled in each House of Parliament,”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 6:14 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:21 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 6:22 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:32 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

Jacques Gourde gave notice of the following motion:

That the committee instruct the clerk and analysts to prepare a report to the House, which the Chair shall table forthwith, outlining the potential breach of privilege concerning Catherine Tait’s refusal to and prevacation in answering those questions which the committee asked her.

On motion of Marc G. Serré, it was agreed, — That the committee do now adjourn.

At 6:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Geneviève Desjardins
Clerk of the committee