Evidence of meeting #133 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was projects.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:50 p.m.
Conservative
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
As I was saying, the objective of this motion seems very clear. We have been having meetings on this issue in a respectable way to try to understand what happened and what went wrong, and have been working through the Auditor General's reports to find solid ways to ensure that organizations like this are accountable, are steady in the work they do and are achieving the objectives for which they were created.
The objective of this motion is quite clear.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
5:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Mr. Perkins, if you just cool your jets, you'll get a chance to speak.
5:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Ms. Khalid, I'm not hearing any talking. Are you done commenting?
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
I am contemplating, Chair, how much longer somebody can chirp at me while I'm trying to get my point across. I usually, but not always, give respect to all of my colleagues, regardless of what side of the aisle they sit on. I try my very best to listen to and understand their points of view. It is quite disrespectful for members to be yelling across the way to throw me off the points I'm trying to make in discussing a motion that was put forward while we had witnesses here. I had questions for them on this exact issue to help me understand how the recommendations I was talking about were being implemented by this organization and to help me understand what processes they had gone through to make sure that what happened did not impact the trust that Canadians have in our democratic institutions, including this one.
We know how important climate change is. We know how important it is to ensure that Canadian clean-tech companies have the advantage they need to be world leaders in combatting what is the biggest challenge of our lifetime. What I don't understand is why members opposite are trying to muzzle me, trying to chirp at me, trying to bully me into submission, or whatever it is they're trying to do. I often don't like what they have to say either, but that doesn't mean I stare them down, as members are doing right now, or talk over them, or yell and scream, or find ways to end what is a healthy conversation and debate.
I will get back to my point, and I'm hoping that members opposite will listen, because what I propose is an alternative viewpoint. I think it is possible for us to disagree on viewpoints, to have conversations and to then come together in a consensus or collaborative way without being disagreeable, without having to chirp at each other, without having to put each other down. It is very possible that Mr. Perkins is a very respectable and honourable member of Parliament who serves his community very well.
5:55 p.m.
NDP
5:55 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
5:55 p.m.
Khalid Iqra
I would disagree with Mr. Green on that. Mr. Perkins is indeed a very honourable member, and he is quite passionate and does care.
I would hope that he appreciates that here on this committee, regardless of which party we belong to, we are trying our very best to do what is right for Canadians and to make sure there is accountability. The best way for us to do that is to take the partisanship out of it. What this motion is showing us is that partisanship is continuing to percolate here. We need to do better than that.
As the House rose yesterday—
5:55 p.m.
Conservative
Eric Duncan Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
I have a point of order.
Ms. Khalid has a lot to say to the motion that Mr. Perkins put forward. I respect that, but I'm just wondering if we can confirm until what period of time resources will be available, to make sure that Ms. Khalid can take the floor to express her thoughts and that others who have their hand up can also.
6 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
I run the clock like a European soccer referee. Members are welcome to talk and talk until we collapse for a vote or we run out of time.
Ms. Khalid has the floor.
6 p.m.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
I'm sorry, Chair, but members of our team are asking if you're going to be bringing in dinner.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Eric Duncan Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
On a point of order, can we just make sure that it doesn't cost $220,000 over six days?
6 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
6 p.m.
Liberal
6 p.m.
Conservative
