Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Working meals.
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mrs. Boucher moves the motion and the committee will deal with it.
(Motion agreed to)
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Witnesses' expenses
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Is there a mover?
9:25 a.m.
A voice
I so move.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Staff at in camera meetings.
The motion passed by the committee was the following:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person including a member of the personnel of the office of the whip of each party at an in camera meeting.
That means that there will be one staff member for each member of the committee, plus one per party.
Is there a mover?
9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
In my opinion, “et incluant” is not good French. It should say, rather: “en plus d'un membre du personnel”. I did not draft it; I am very particular.
February 5th, 2009 / 9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Chairman, there are five or six members on the government side, and in the way in which it is drafted, “including” means that the whip should be included among the six.
Even your colleagues agree with me.
9:25 a.m.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
It should say: “as well as a member of the personnel of the office of the whip”, instead of “including”.
9:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
It would therefore be “as well as a member of the personnel of the office of the whip”?
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
You are moving a motion with this amendment.
We are studying this motion. I am ready to hear your comments on it.
Mrs. Glover, go ahead.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I approve of the proposal.
However, I would like to know if it really is necessary to include “of the office of the whip”. As far as I am concerned, it could be anyone from the personnel of each party. We could say: “as well as a member of the personnel of each party”.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Mrs. Glover, you may make comments or amend the motion we are studying, and then we could discuss your amendment.
Do you wish to move an amendment?
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
No, we are discussing the motion that was tabled. First of all, a motion is moved. Normally, we consider one amendment at a time that is intended to improve the motion.
Mr. D'Amours tabled a motion that would change the wording to “as well as a member of the personnel of the office of the whip” rather than “including”.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I therefore propose an amendment. I am open to your comments. We will see what happens then. I move that we remove the words “the office of the whip” so that it is simpler.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
You are moving an amendment intended to delete the words “the office of the whip” from Mr. D'amours' motion.
We have an amendment to the motion. I am ready to hear your comments on the amendment intended to delete the words “the office of the whip” .
For procedural purposes, I must tell you that we will deal with one amendment at a time. We will get to the bottom of the issue of the amendment and then decide. Following that, if there are other amendments, we will deal with them in the same manner.
Ms. Guay, you wish to speak to this amendment?
9:30 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
I wish to point out that the committees are managed by the whips. I therefore believe that we have to keep the mention of “the office of the whip”. I do not think we should exclude it. On the contrary, the committees should not be guided by just anyone, but indeed by the whips. Things have always worked that way.
9:30 a.m.
Conservative
