The next one I have here, which is something I believe we've talked about before, is time for opening remarks and questioning of witnesses. You have there on the left of one page the way it was dealt with before. What has been dealt with in other committees is that witnesses be given 10 minutes for an opening statement, which is the way it has worked, and then that the first questioner be allowed seven minutes. The suggestion here is that the additional rounds be five minutes split between the government and opposition. That is what happens at some of the committees. That is not the way we have done it in the past. That is a suggestion.

Can I have any comments on that?

Ruby.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

Sorry, I know we've already dealt with one of the previous motions, but if we can just go back to it for....

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Which one? Receiving evidence?

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

In regard to the chair being authorized to hold meetings.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Okay.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

I have a question. What happens if the chair doesn't show up and all of the other members are here?

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

I would assume the vice-chair would be there.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

Should we add that in?

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

If you would like to add the chair or the vice-chair, sure, most definitely.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

Thank you.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

We're going to amend that. Is that okay with...?

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK

It was mainly for travel, was it not?

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

It was mainly for travel, but let's just go back then. The amendment is that the chair or vice-chair be authorized.... Are we okay with that?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON

Thank you.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

I know this was an issue, the question of witnesses. Are there any comments right now?

Yes, Mr. Martin.

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Tony Martin NDP Sault Ste. Marie, ON

I didn't quite understand what you had suggested and I didn't see it as an issue. I thought it worked quite well.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

You wouldn't, because you got to respond three times before the government even got to respond twice. Why would you think it was an issue? It worked very well for you guys. It wasn't fair, though.

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Tony Martin NDP Sault Ste. Marie, ON

No, I thought it was fair.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Of course you would. It was fair for you. It wasn't fair for anybody else.

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Tony Martin NDP Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Everybody else thought it was fair and that it was an okay thing.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

No, I don't believe that was the case. That's why we're discussing it right now.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Lynne Yelich Conservative Blackstrap, SK

We did that in the last session just to....

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Just a second, I'm going to have you on the list.

I have Mr. Lessard, followed by Ms. Yelich and Mr. Lake, and then back to Mr. Martin.

Go ahead, Mr. Lessard.

3:50 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

What's there is exactly what we did the last time.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

That is correct.