Human Resources Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We're now going to move to number 10: that copies of the transcripts of all in camera meetings be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.

That's moved by Madam Folco.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We'll move to number 11: that the chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as four members are present, including an opposition member.

Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, is motion 11 consistent with the Standing Orders which stipulate that we cannot sit if we do not have a majority of committee members?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

No. This motion, as I understand it, is to indicate that we can have a reduced quorum in order to be able to begin hearing witnesses. We can sit so that we're not keeping witnesses waiting. It just indicates that as long as four are members present, including at least one opposition member, we can sit.

Mr. Savage.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I'm having a little trouble with the language here. Help me with this: that the chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time it.... Should that be “no later than 15 minutes”?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Sure.

[A voice]

[Inaudible--Editor]

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

No. I'm sorry, it should be “'no sooner”, not before that. Thank you.

It just indicates that we need at least 15 minutes to give members a chance to get to committee. It should be “no sooner”. I know it sounds awkward.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Does that mean we don't have to show up until 11:15, Mr. Chair?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Please don't do that to me.

Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I want to go back to what I was saying, because I think that the rule is different when, for example, we hear witnesses. We saw that when we did our trip on poverty. Recommendation 3 covers that provision, as there are two types of meetings. There are meetings where we hear witnesses and working meetings like this one. Motion 11 applies to working meetings like this one. I don't see how we could do the work that we are doing at present if there were only four committee members here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I've just been informed by the clerks that we did deal with this in number three. You are correct. We're going to withdraw that motion because it has been dealt with, Mr. Lessard, in number three.

We dealt with number 12 already, so that takes us to number 13, which is that the clerk circulate to all members of the committee Order in Council appointments referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources.

It's moved by Madam Folco. Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We're going to move to our final routine motion, number 14: that whenever the main estimates or the supplementary estimates are tabled in the House, the committee invite the minister and any relevant senior officials of a department to appear at a meeting of the committee, which is televised if possible; and that whenever a chapter of a report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the committee, the committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant senior officials of a department to appear at a meeting of the committee, which is televised if possible.

Mr. Lessard, you're moving that? Thank you very much.

Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Go ahead, Madam Folco.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Chair, I just want to bring up a point. It's not a motion or anything like that.

Would it be possible to have access to the same room as often as we can? I understand that sometimes there would be challenges due to television or other events, but as a general rule I would like us to try and keep the same room.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

From what I understand, the clerks are definitely going to try to request this, if at all possible.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Secondly—and I will say this in French—I would like to see some Perrier water when we order a meal, and not just sweet soft drinks, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We will also look at that.

Before I adjourn the meeting, I want to suggest a couple of things. I have a couple of names here--Ed, and then Tony--but first, are there any other routine motions that we're missing and that you'd like to see added? Okay. Then let's go with the list we have here. It seems that's where we're at.

Ed.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Some of the other committees have passed this motion regarding priority of legislation: that the consideration and examination of any bill, government or private member's bill, that falls within the express mandate of the committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination, other than questions of privilege. In such circumstances, the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the bill is reported back to the House.

I would move that motion. It basically means that private members' bills, and bills, take priority over whatever we're studying. It seems to be routine and it makes sense.

I would propose that amendment. I can repeat it, if members wish.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Okay. I know this committee has been doing that, so I don't see any problem with it. But let's get a discussion from people. I have a list here.

Mr. Martin, did you want to speak to this? I have you on the old list. You had something you wanted to propose. Can I come back to you, then? Okay.

Starting the new list, I have Madam Folco.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

On Mr. Komarnicki's motion, it seems to me that of the responsibilities Parliament has given committees, the main one is to consider legislation. I am wondering if I am mistaken.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

You're correct. In the past--

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

If our first responsibility is to consider legislation, I think that Mr. Komarnicki's motion is redundant. I do not see the relevance of his proposal.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Ed, we'll go back to you, and then Mr. Lessard.