Health Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Distribution of documents is the same as we had the year before:

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

I've distributed the sheet, Mr. Carrie, if you want to speak to this. There is an addition to present to committee.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I think this would strengthen it, and I welcome the opposition's input:

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed among the committee members must be in both official languages, and that the clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Is there any discussion?

Mrs. Davidson.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

I think the amendment makes sense. I know a couple of times last year we ran into problems when witnesses had brought documents, thinking they could distribute them, and were not able to because they were not in both official languages. Making sure that all witnesses are advised of this is a good idea.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Is there further discussion?

Ms. Wasylycia-Leis.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

I agree with the change generally. The only concern I have is that you're adding the words “including motions” to this distribution issue. There are times when something happens and a member wants to bring a motion forward. We have full translation services, and it should be allowed. So I suggest as a friendly amendment that we delete the words, “including motions”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Is there further discussion?

Mr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I think it is important to have the motions properly translated and written. Sometimes even when bills are written, even though the language may be perhaps correct in translation, there may be a finesse or a slightly different meaning in one language compared to the other. Since some members here aren't fluently bilingual, I think it is important that they're able to get an opinion on the two languages from a translator they know well.

I don't think this is harmful at all. With respect, it would help all members who perhaps do not have full bilingual capacity to understand motions and the finesse and slight differentiations between the languages. So I think it is a good idea.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

I have to make a point here. The clerk has informed me that all documents that are distributed are distributed by the clerk, whether they are motions or anything else. The difference is that they have to be in both official languages.

Ms. Wasylycia-Leis is next, and then Mr. Malo.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

I think you would hamstring the ability of this committee to function. None of us could, for any reason, make a motion to move to a different order of business, adjourn for five minutes, or whatever. It would totally incapacitate us.

If members want to argue that this wouldn't be covered under the words “including motions”, what would be included is a member coming to this committee with a new crisis developing and wanting to just bring the motion to the committee in an emergency. That would be prevented. So I think we would have less ability to bring forward motions, as has been our practice all along on a regular basis. They are always translated because we have full translation services.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

The clerk has informed me that the motion can be submitted to the clerk, and then it has to be translated, and then he'll distribute it.

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North, MB]

I know that. That's my point. It takes away our flexibility to bring a motion until we've had it translated, at which time the meeting is over and we're done.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Monsieur Malo.

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

In the interests of clarity, how does the clerk see the argument put forward by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis? When we are debating something here and someone wants to make a motion, can it be debated right away if the translator translates it? Is that how you interpret what she was saying?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Georges Etoka]

The member is not required to introduce the motion in both languages. He can introduce it in his own language and the clerk is required to translate it before it is distributed. But if, during a committee session, the debate is that the committee adjourn, the motion cannot be debated. It can be introduced in the member's own language and the interpretation service translates it into the other language.

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

What Mr. Carrie is proposing is that, when a motion is presented in advance, it be in both languages.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Would you like to speak to that?

[The Clerk]

Yes. A member giving advance notice of a motion is not required to provide it in the other language. It is presented in the member's own language and then translated before being distributed. It is accepted, but it must be translated and available in both languages before being distributed to committee members.

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Is that the current practice?

[The Clerk]

That's correct.

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

That is fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Mr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I was just wondering about the clerk's opinion. Through you, is he saying that he sees “including motions” as being redundant? Is that what you feel?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

That's correct.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Okay.