Official Languages Committee on March 6th, 2014

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, that's for witnesses.

[Lise St-Denis, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

So that's for witnesses who are invited to appear. Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Any other further questions on the budget?

Monsieur Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I would like to make sure of something. We will hear from the government's development agencies at the same time. Is that right?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Great. Thanks.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

If there's no further debate, I'll call the question on the motion in front of us.

(Motion agreed to)

Finally, I just want to let committee members know that we received the estimates from the House, and the end of the supply period is the 31st of May of this year. Unless committee members tell me they don't want to review the estimates and vote on them, we have tentatively set aside an hour on May 6 to review and vote on the estimates. The Commissioner of Official Languages has indicated to the clerk that he is prepared to be here to answer questions about these estimates at that time.

Mr. Williamson.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

I'd just like to point out that there are a lot of witnesses who we're going to be hearing from. I just urge the chair and researchers to try not to overload our days with witnesses. I've been in committees where we have six or eight people in groups, for example. I'd rather spend a little more time. I'd rather we be a little more judicious in our selection of witnesses and not load so many on that we don't have adequate time to both digest and also ask questions of witnesses.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I think what we'll try to do with respect to the different economic development agencies that we have asked to appear is have them appear all at once, but not give them 10 minutes each to give their opening remarks. Otherwise they're going to use 50 minutes to an hour to give their opening statements and leave very little time for members to ask questions of the witnesses. What I'm going to ask them to do is to present a single statement of 10 minutes and then allow members to ask questions for the balance of the time.

Madame Bateman.

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

I think it's reasonable to have time for questions, but I think it's very important to note there are very different realities for various regional agencies. For example, Western Diversification is funded probably less than one-quarter of what ACOA is funded. For them to have a unified voice.... They're singing from different song sheets, different realities.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

How do you suggest we do it then?

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

I just think maybe we could limit their time but have each group speak. FedNor has a different reality from ACOA. The new federal agency from southwestern Ontario has a very different reality. Maybe we could give them three to four minutes to give their remarks or framework. I'm just thinking that because it's not homogeneous.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We'll figure it out, but we'll ensure that there is lots of time for you to ask questions, because I think that's what you want to do.

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Yes, fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Is there any further guidance for the chair? No, okay.

Thank you very much.

This meeting is adjourned.