Evidence of meeting #1 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
It's one or the other. That would give you two and you're allowed one.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Next is that one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.
It's moved by Mr. Patry.
(Motion agreed to)
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Next is that the committee be authorized to purchase gifts to be presented to foreign hosts and visiting delegations.
It's moved by Mr. Patry.
(Motion agreed to)
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The next motion reads that 48 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the clerk of the committee and distributed to members in both official languages.
It's moved by Mr. Pearson.
Mr. Crête.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
When we say official languages, are we talking about the documents provided by the clerk or just motions? I would like a motion, whether it is this one or a specific one, saying that documents should be distributed in both official languages unless the members of the committee decide otherwise. It is important because we do not have a motion about...
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
It's a standard motion--that we cannot accept it unless there's unanimous consent.
Clerk, correct me if I'm wrong. It's not in every routine motion, but it's just common practice that these presentations are not given unless the printed material is in both official languages.
4:25 p.m.
The Clerk
It's not distributed to committee members if it's not available in both official languages.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We can accept it through the clerk; we can't distribute it. And then she will get it translated and then it will be distributed.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I sit on other committees and, as I understand it, we can have a motion saying that only documents in both official languages are distributed to committee members.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
You're correct. It cannot be distributed, but the clerk can receive it, send it to translation, and at a later date we would be given that testimony.
All right. Mr. Obhrai and then Mr. Goldring.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
I have difficulty with the statement that says “unless a substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”. How do you define this? It could be defined very confusingly. You might have some housekeeping business, for example. Does that mean that any motion can be broadly defined and can be brought in and well under the 48 hours' notice? In other words, is it necessary to have that?
I would make a suggestion to delete that section, “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”. There are other ways and means to bring a motion forward, under unanimous consent, for example. I think that statement in there can be confusing and can be opened up to being too broadly interpreted and could be disruptive.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I think it's important to have this 48 hours' notice, so that everybody at the department has enough time to prepare for a response. So the intent and the idea is to have a 48 hours' notice motion so that everybody is able to prepare, including the department, the government, and the opposition themselves and the research and everybody. So I think we should stick strictly to the 48 hours' notice, as Mr. Goldring has suggested.
Thank you.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC
The part after “committee”, where it says “unless the substantive motion relates directly to the business then under consideration”--put brackets around that and that would be the deletion.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
So it goes to a cleaner motion, that it's just 48 hours' notice, without the qualifier.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Can I read a version here that I have, or a suggested version?
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
It would be that 48 hours' notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, and that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the clerk in both official languages.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative