Official Languages Committee on June 16th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

That's what we are talking about here.

We are going to Monsieur Bélanger, then Mr. Harris.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I would like to point out two things. The Canadians who come here can express themselves in the language of their choice. The act requires it. We, as parliamentarians, also have rights. One of those rights is to be able to listen to what is being said in the language of our choice. That's why there are people in the booth. Another right is to be able to read in the language of our choice, which explains this motion, Mr. Chair.

I will deem Mr. Weston's motion a friendly amendment, because it is essentially a slight clarification of the intent of this anyway, that the clerk be...and the last time we added that the clerk also advise witnesses of the availability. It is a friendly amendment. I've incorporated it into the main motion.

Thank you very much.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

That's a good idea.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Harris.

[Dan Harris, NDP, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I had my hand up when we were talking about something a little different, but certainly I agree fully. Advising witnesses in advance is an improvement to what was already there.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Monsieur Menegakis.

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

I am trying to get my head around the word “only”. It says that “only” the clerk be authorized, in the amendment that John is moving.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Just to clarify why the word “only” is in there, in previous committees I chaired it sometimes happened that—which members generally don't like—some witnesses would distribute documents without authorization, not realizing that they needed to be in both official languages and thereby bypassing the intent of this routine motion. Alternatively, you might get third parties, members of the public, coming into the room who have not been called as witnesses but who are distributing documents to committee members without the committee's authorization. That is why the word “only” is in there.

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

I accept the clarification, but I assume the clerk is authorized to distribute documents.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

It is only the clerk.

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Richmond Hill, ON]

The word “only” makes this motion make sense. Otherwise I can't imagine that in the past the clerk was not authorized to distribute documents.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

We are all on the same wavelength.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We are all on the same page.

Is there any further debate on this amendment moved by Mr. Lauzon?

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I have a suggestion. When witnesses take the floor, it really helps me to have a copy of their speech. Could we ask them if it is possible to have a copy so that we can follow along when they are speaking? Is it possible to suggest that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I will instruct the clerk right now to make those efforts with the witnesses when they are invited.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

That works for me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We will do that. He has noted it, and we will ensure that is done whenever we have witnesses appear.

Mr. Weston.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

I agree with the suggestion. I think it is important to include the following words at the end: “that the Clerk advise the witnesses of the availability of a translation service”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We will consider that part of the original amendment that you moved.

Is there any further debate?

Mr. Galipeau.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Lauzon's suggestion is very practical, especially when the witnesses are reading their submissions. But some witnesses occasionally give presentations that are not written. Under those circumstances, it becomes quite difficult. And witnesses should not be restricted to reading submissions only.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I understand. It's just guidance to the clerk that if documents are available, and if they're available ahead of time, they be distributed to members of the committee so they can look at them before the committee meets.

Is there any further debate on the amendment moved by Mr. Weston?

Seeing none, I'll call for the vote on the amendment.

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We're back to the main motion as amended.

Seeing no further debate, I'll call for the vote on the main motion as amended.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We'll now go to consideration of the next routine motion. Do I have a mover of this routine motion?

It is moved by Mr. Harris. Thank you very much. I'll read it.

The motion on working meals says the following: “That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.”

Is there any debate on this motion moved by Mr. Harris?

[An hon. member]

It's not emphatic enough.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I so move.