PROC Committee Meeting
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Minutes of Proceedings
The committee resumed consideration of the motion moved by Daniel Blaikie on Monday, April 12, 2021, which read as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a)(vi), the committee undertake a study on the advisability of establishing a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform to make recommendations about how to improve Canada’s electoral system, including the question of how Canadians elect Members of Parliament and how the make up of Parliament reflects the votes cast by Canadians; that the committee’s study shall include an examination of: (a) the terms of reference for such an assembly; (b) the composition of such an assembly; (c) a timeline for the completion of such an assembly’s work; (d) public reporting requirements for such an assembly; (e) the resources required to support the work of such an assembly, including measures to ensure comprehensive and effective citizen engagement throughout the process; (f) any other matters the committee deems pertinent to voting reform; that the committee report back to the House, and; that the committee’s report either (I) recommend not to proceed with such an assembly or (II) recommend to proceed with such an assembly and include a detailed plan for how to proceed that provides for the issues raised in items (a)-(f).
Debate continued.
Karen Vecchio moved, — That the motion be amended by adding, after the word “reform”, the words: “, including the need for a national referendum in order for Canadians to have the opportunity to approve any proposed changes to Canada’s democratic system;”.
Debate arose thereon.
Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the word “need” with the word “option”.
After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Blaine Calkins, Peter Kent, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 6.
The question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Blaine Calkins, Peter Kent, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 6;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 5.
The motion, as amended, read as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (3)(a)(vi), the committee undertake a study on the advisability of establishing a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform to make recommendations about how to improve Canada’s electoral system, including the question of how Canadians elect Members of Parliament and how the make up of Parliament reflects the votes cast by Canadians; that the committee’s study shall include an examination of: (a) the terms of reference for such as assembly; (b) the composition of such an assembly; (c) a timeline for the completion of such an assembly’s work; (d) public reporting requirements for such an assembly; (e) the resources required to support the work of throughout the process; (f) any other matters the committee deems pertinent to voting reform, including the need for a national referendum in order for Canadians to have the opportunity to approve any proposed changes to Canada’s democratic system; that the committee report back to the House, and; that the committee’s report either (l) recommend not to proceed with such an assembly or (II) recommend to proceed with such an assembly and include a detailed plan for how to proceed that provides for the issues raised in items (a)-(f).
Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the motion be amended by adding, after “(a)-(f).”, the words: “and that the committee, in the course of this study, also examine the question of how citizen assemblies can be used more generally as a tool to drive citizen engagement in the policy-making process on a wide variety of issues and report its findings to the House in a separate report”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6;
NAYS: Blaine Calkins, Peter Kent, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 5.
The motion, as amended, read as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (3)(a)(vi), the committee undertake a study on the advisability of establishing a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform to make recommendations about how to improve Canada’s electoral system, including the question of how Canadians elect Members of Parliament and how the make up of Parliament reflects the votes cast by Canadians; that the committee’s study shall include an examination of: (a) the terms of reference for such as assembly; (b) the composition of such an assembly; (c) a timeline for the completion of such an assembly’s work; (d) public reporting requirements for such an assembly; (e) the resources required to support the work of throughout the process; (f) any other matters the committee deems pertinent to voting reform, including the need for a national referendum in order for Canadians to have the opportunity to approve any proposed changes to Canada’s democratic system;; that the committee report back to the House, and; that the committee’s report either (l) recommend not to proceed with such an assembly or (II) recommend to proceed with such an assembly and include a detailed plan for how to proceed that provides for the issues raised in items (a)-(f); and that the committee, in the course of this study, also examine the question of how citizen assemblies can be used more generally as a tool to drive citizen engagement in the policy-making process on a wide variety of issues and report its findings to the House in a separate report.
The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Alain Therrien , Ryan Turnbull — 7;
NAYS: Blaine Calkins, Peter Kent, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor moved, — That, pursuant to its mandate to examine issues related to Elections Canada under Standing Order 108(3)(a)(vi), the committee undertake a study of the measures necessary to ensure that the Chief Electoral Officer is empowered to require that ballots for electoral districts be prepared and printed in the Indigenous language or languages of electors, using the appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable, in addition to both official languages;
That this study include meaningful consultation with Indigenous language speakers and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders across Canada;
That this study include consideration of the status Indigenous languages and the rights of Indigenous language speakers across the country; That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House;
That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive repose to this report; and,
That the committee resolve to undertake this study as its next order of business. .
Debate arose thereon.
Karen Vecchio moved, — That the motion be amended by striking the following words: “That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive repose to this report; and that the committee resolve to undertake this study as its next order of business”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Peter Kent, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Blaine Calkins, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
At 1:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.