Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
It says one staff person, but it doesn't say his staff person. It could be any staff person.
You're suggesting that somebody would disallow you from bringing someone in who doesn't happen to work with you.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
But the words here are clear: it's one staff person who you select. It could be someone who's quarterbacking the issue for your—
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
As long as that's your interpretation, Mr. Szabo, we don't have a problem with that.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Except that, as Mr. Thibault points out, you would be adding another four people to the room, which I don't think is a good idea.
Having been through the Radwanski hearings, totally in camera on sensitive matters, it is extremely important. All in camera meetings are not that sensitive, but sometimes they are, and I think you really have to keep it to people who should be engaged there.
Mr. Scott.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
There's an accountability issue associated with this. That's the reason that every member is responsible for the staff person they have here. I have no quarrel with the integrity of anybody else, but the additional person is not aligned with anybody who's here. That's the reason.
So this way if every member here vouches for the staff person, whether they work in the whip's office or their own office, then there's a straight line of accountability that is removed when you have an additional person who is not responsible to anybody here.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate the comments from Mr. Scott. My amendment still stands. I think there's good reason to have the ability to have an additional person from the party present at in camera meetings and I would encourage all members to support it.
11:45 a.m.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
I have a question, Mr. Chairman. If we say that a committee member can be accompanied by a member of his or her staff, should we not give that individual observer status? That happens automatically, but should we not state that in the motion?
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
11:45 a.m.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
The motion states that a committee member may be accompanied by one staff person. This person who accompanies the committee member to in camera meetings would be present as an observer.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
And there are no observers, to my knowledge, at in camera meetings.
There being no further debate, Mr. Hiebert wants his amendment to stand; it is that in addition each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
Mr. Del Mastro, thank you kindly.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]