Fisheries Committee on Nov. 25th, 2014

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Chisholm.

Mr. Kamp.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for the motion. I see there's going to be a second one—at least we think there will be—asking the officials to come to update us on a variety of things.

With respect to this motion with respect to the minister, clearly in my view it's not fair to pass a motion on a Tuesday—if we pass this as is—asking her to come on a Thursday, if it's the only way to get it before November 28. My suggestion would be, given my understanding that there is no firm date yet—I could be wrong—for the supply motion and the end of the supply period, that we'd likely have a little longer than November 28, and a week from now would probably be all right as well, based on my information, so.... How we would do this, I'm not quite sure. I would be prepared, I think, to amend the motion to ask the minister and officials to come a week from now to talk about the supplementary (B)s and other issues, including the list of issues that are in the second motion.

Now, I have to say, just to be up front, knowing the minister's schedule, I wouldn't be confident that she will be able to come even between now and the Christmas break. I think it looks difficult, but obviously I'm fairly confident that the officials would be able to come, and perhaps she will. I can't speak for her. I just know that it's very busy between now and then.

I'm not sure what Mr. Chisholm would think of that direction, but I have some wording, Mr. Chair, if you would like this amendment put at this point. Or would you perhaps like a little more discussion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I just noted what you were saying here, Mr. Kamp. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're asking to amend Mr. Chisholm's motion to add to “the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans” the words “and officials”, and to change the date to “before December 2, 2014”.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Without moving it at this point, just for discussion's sake, what I was thinking is an amended motion that would read something like this: “That the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and her officials to appear before the committee on December 2, 2014, regarding the supplementary estimates (B) 2014-15 and other issues, including the recent regulatory changes on the use of deleterious substances, the signature of the Beaufort Sea integrated fisheries management framework, the recent increase to bluefin tuna quotas, and an update on the status of the 2014 British Columbia salmon run.”

That was all on the list from the second motion that I see we have notice for. That is kind of the direction I was thinking of, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Kamp.

Mr. Chisholm, do you want to comment?

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I appreciate that suggestion. I have to say, though, the minister has been around this file for some time. She is very competent, good on her feet, and she has good senior officials.

We are pressed for time. I don't think it's being unfair that we ask her to come in on Thursday. That having been said, if we can't get her on Thursday and we can get her next Tuesday, then that's fine. I'd like the minister to be here.

I find it insulting that the minister hasn't been before this committee and doesn't take time to come to sit with the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to share with us her vision for her department and to engage in dialogue with us, members who are clearly very interested in this issue and would benefit from her answers and from her insights. I can't understand how a standing committee can be allowed to function without some participation from the minister. I find that seriously unfortunate, Mr. Chair.

That's our position. I'd like to see the minister appear; I'd like to see the senior officials appear to deal with the supp (B)s and to answer some questions. I'm not going to get into it with the government. They'll vote me down either way; it doesn't matter. Maybe it would be easier for the minister to come in on Thursday than it would be to come in next Tuesday if there is a concern about her schedule. Let's amend the motion to say, “at the earliest opportunity, no later than December 2”. We all understand why it's important for us to have the minister appear before the committee, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Chisholm.

Mr. Kamp.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

I return to my original point, that it's not fair or even respectful to ask a minister to appear before a standing committee with little notice. Given that there are some time constraints, due to the supplementary estimates (B) supply period, I think inviting her and her officials no later than December 2 does make some sense. Like all our invitations to all the ministers, they have the right to say yes or no.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I have to interrupt you at this time. The bells are ringing for a vote and we have to suspend, unless we have unanimous consent to continue.

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Chair, why don't we at least agree to dispose of this motion?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Is there agreement here?

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Yes, if it's the motion as printed, we'll be voting against it.

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Let's agree, then.... I think we were coming to an agreement that we would amend it to read, “no later than December 2”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Mr. Chisholm is proposing that you agree to amend it to “no later than December 2”. Mr. Kamp was suggesting amending it to “Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and officials be invited December 2”.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Yes, I'm not sure who is proposing the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I'm looking for agreement. I think we're close to—

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Kamp suggested that we combine the two motions that I'm proposing about the minister and the supplementary estimates (B), and the officials, and that list of items, and that we change it to December 2.

Let's provide the minister with the option of coming on Thursday or Tuesday.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

We could say in the motion, “appear before the committee no later than December 2”.

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Right. That's perfect.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

The laundry list helps the officials if they are coming, so perhaps something like this—

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

All right, so Mr. Kamp is proposing that we amend Mr. Chisholm's motion to the following:

That the Committee invite the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and her officials to appear before the Committee no later than December 2, 2014 regarding the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2014-15 and other issues, including the recent regulatory changes on the use of deleterious substances; the signature of the Beaufort Sea Integrated Fisheries Management Framework; the recent increase to Bluefin tuna quotas; and an update on the status of the 2014 British Columbia salmon run.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

The meeting is adjourned at this point in time for the House votes.