Evidence of meeting #14 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clerk.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I think we solidified in the last meeting that it wouldn't always be the case, because we'd have to work on the availability of the witnesses. I think we have to continue certainly in that effort, but we don't want to task ourselves to one day or the other, because it depends on the availability of the witnesses.
Mr. Holder.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In the words of my Cape Breton mother--what she would say about politics and politicians--after it's all said and done, there's a lot more said than done.
My practical question is that we have a lot of topics on the go, all important in their way, but strategically—and this is the question I'd like to ask around the table—what's our hope in terms of what we would like to accomplish before the House recesses in June? If we can agree on that, I think that fills in the blanks in some fashion.
It would be great, from my standpoint, and I believe from all of us, to actually finish some of the things we have started, that we need to get done. So I'd like to get either a little dialogue or at least some conclusions on what we hope to have accomplished by June's end, please.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Holder, I appreciate that suggestion. I guess, for our staff, it's important that we get a full plan as to what the next meeting is going to look like. If there's a general sense that we'll take the witness list that has been suggested and allow them to determine who's available or not, we can proceed on that—if there's general support for that idea.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
If I can just respond to that, if I might, since I brought it up, frankly, I'm kind of past the next meeting. I appreciate that we charged the clerk with the responsibility to figure that out, and I'm good with that, but I'm just trying to get a sense of what we as a committee would like to have accomplished before the House rises for the summer.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I appreciate that Mr. Holder. I wasn't as clear about that--and there are heads nodding--so I think that's what we'll task the clerk to do.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
It is to get that long list and ensure that we have some witnesses for Wednesday, if they would be any of the ones mentioned. But I guess we need to--
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
I think there's clarity in whom we're asking for Wednesday. Raitt and Paradis have already been asked. If they are not available, then it would be Brian Jean, who should be on the premises, and either.... I suggested Mr. Snowdy. I think Mr. Martin suggested Mr. Wright or possibly some of the staff...I think you mentioned Sebastien Togneri, Andrew House, and Scott Wenger. There were a number of--
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Martin actually had several witnesses prior to the suggestions you brought forward, probably a dozen, if not more. So there's a full complement of folks that the clerk, if he is interested in this task.... We're talking about a short period of time and quite a range of suggested witnesses.
So do we want to give him any additional clarity?
Ms. Mendes, I'll get to you right after Mr. Martin.
Mr. Martin.
3:50 p.m.
NDP
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I was hoping we'd all brainstorm our wish list to the clerk, and then perhaps go around once more and prioritize the list a little bit. That seems to be what works best in the committees I've been on. We might throw five names each into the mix. We know we're not going to invite 25 witnesses; we'll render that down to a reasonable number.
I would suggest that in the scattergun approach I use, certainly we need to hear from Helena Guergis and Rahim Jaffer. Absolutely they should be at the top of the list. But early on, we need to hear from Rahim Jaffer's clients, whether it's Mr. Wright, because he's been one of the ones we can find and he has been willing to tell his story, or.... I think he'd be a very useful witness, and he may be available as early as the 5th. So for plugging that hole on the 5th, I think Brian Jean and Mr. Wright from Wright Tech--that's the name of his company, or Green Tech--would be good witnesses.
May 3rd, 2010 / 3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Considering that we are studying the green fund, Minister Prentice is a person who would be needed to be brought forth--and we had spoken about him as Minister of the Environment--as well as Andrew House, who spoke with Mr. Glémaud about specific funds. Mr. House wasn't mentioned in the list we gave.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Let's not have conversations across the table.
Ms. Mendes, for your clarity--
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Minister Prentice is not responsible for the green fund, as far as I--
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
No, but he was approached as environment minister because it was thought he was responsible for the green fund.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
So those are your two suggestions for Wednesday's meeting.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Well, Andrew House was already mentioned. No, not necessarily for the Wednesday--
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I think at this point we're looking for clarity for the May 5 meeting.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Raitt and Paradis, and if they're not available....
