Mauril Blanger's O Canada bill set for key debate despite Tory objections

Liberal MPMaurilBlanger'spush to change the English lyrics of O Canada hit another snagThursday when some Conservative MPs rejected a procedural move that would have allowed another parliamentarian to usher his bill through the House if he's too illto be therefor key stages of its passage.

Time is of the essence for the MP, who was diagnosed with ALS last fall and whose health has deteriorated over the past few weeks. But his determinationto see Bill C-210 pass isinspiring people from inside and outside his party to support him.

After question period Thursday, government whip Andrew Leslie sought the unanimous consent of MPsto allow the billwhich would change the line "in all thy sons command" to"in all of us command," making it gender-neutral to proceed under the whip'sname to take some of the pressure off Blanger.

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Enough Tory MPs shouted their objection to deny unanimous consent forLeslie'smotion.

"We all love and supportMauriland we understand he's going through a difficult time ... but it's not aboutMauril," Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer told reporters after.

"It's about the bill itself. The vast majority of our caucus are opposed to the bill. They've heard from their constituents," Scheer said, addingtherehas been no consultation with Canadians on the matter.

"Isignalledto the government long ago that our caucus ... would not be able to help facilitate its passage,"Scheersaid, reflecting his party'sdivided ranks. (Other Conservatives do support the bill.)

Scheer explains Conservative opposition to Belanger Bill

8 years ago

Duration 1:45

Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer explains the Conservatives moves to stop Mauril Belanger's O Canada Bill

"They should be ashamed. The people who denied consent their heads were down when they said it. They weren't proud of it," Liberal MP GregFergussaid in an interview with CBC News.

The bill is believed to have more than enough Liberal and NDP votes to pass.

"Why are [Conservatives]delaying the inevitable and denying him the pleasure of seeing this throughwhile he's still in good health?" Fergus said."What's the end game for them?"

Leslie updates reporters on the next step for Belanger's Bill

8 years ago

Duration 1:27

Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie explains the process to keep the bill moving through the House

Thursday's movecould have meant thatBlanger wouldneed to attend the next stage of debateFriday afternoon or risk his bill falling to the bottom of the order of precedence, not to be debated again for months.

But late Thursday, Leslie's office gavenotice of an amendment that couldallow Liberals to continue the debate even if Blanger is too ill to attend one of many procedural tools available, Fergus said.

"He has every intention of making it. He wants to be here,"Fergussaid, noting thatBlangeris very motivated to see the bill pass. "It's giving him a real focus."

If he is able to come, his wife, Catherine, will accompany him. He willneed to use a wheelchair and have medical help.

Trading places

Although the Conservatives have blocked efforts to fast-track the bill, its passage has been helped twice this spring by other MPs giving up time designated for their private member's business so his couldgo first.

The Bloc Qubcois House leader isthe latest to surrender his slot to give the bill a shot at passing before summer. GabrielSte-Marie's motion on tax havens was set for debate Friday until he was approached by Blanger's staff last week.

He decided his issue will wait until next fall.

"It's the least I can do," Ste-Marie told CBC News. "It's such a sad story.I've been very touched byMaurilBlangerand his disease He is a great member of Parliament."

The Bloc is abstaining on C-210 because the English lyrics don't concern them. This is about compassion, not the bill itself.

"I am sad to see that there could not be a consensusbetween parliamentarians to fast-track his bill."

Another Liberal MP,LindaLapointe, had also given upher May 31 slotsoC-210could have its required second hour of debate and pass itsvote at second reading last week.

Committee spat

Following that vote on June 1, the Commons heritage committee met the next day.

The committeeheardfrom only one witness,historian Chris Champion,and then voted 6-3 to report C-210 back to the Commons without amendments. The Liberal and NDP members were in favour, Conservatives against.

That meetingwas testy andtense from its outset. Conservative MPs accusedthe Liberals of skirting the rules and shortchanging debate in an effort to move things along beforesummer.

• Read the heritage committee minutes

"The alacrity with which everyone is dealing with this bill," Liberal chair Hedy Fry said off the top, "has to do with the health of the mover of this bill. His health is indeed critical and we need to deal with this bill as soon as possible."

Conservative vice-chair Peter Van Loan responded by saying he had "the greatest regard" for Blanger's condition, but "that is not a basis on which public policy is made, especially public policy on an institution or a symbol that belongs to all Canadians."