Go ahead, Mr. Housefather.
Evidence of meeting #54 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contracts.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #54 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contracts.
A video is available from Parliament.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I want to come back to the idea that.... First of all, I didn't put anything in the amendment to do with staff, because I figured that is something we would agree to cordially. The amendment doesn't deal with staff. It just deals with the recording devices, you know, and the notes. I was trying to be consistent in section (a) regarding “only committee members”. In the first section, it's very clear that it's for viewing by committee members only, and not for staff.
In the second part, the meeting with Public Services and Procurement, in order to be consistent, only committee members would actually be able to look at the documents, because it's the same as in (a), but the staff could be in the room to assist, discuss and listen if they want.
Anyway, I hope everybody can agree with that, because it will make an easier explanation and sale when we say only parliamentarians can look at the documents.
7:25 p.m.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
I'm happy to see such good relations among the committee members.
It is indeed always useful to have a second opinion. My compliments to you, Mr. Housefather.
I agree that our being the only ones with the power to consult them constitutes a parliamentary privilege.
Mr. Housefather, do you want to amend just the part that says a day so that it can be replaced by a week?
7:25 p.m.
Bloc
Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné Bloc Terrebonne, QC
That's a helpful amendment, and I agree on the principle.
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
I just want to make sure that it's a subamendment.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I am prepared to accept it as a friendly amendment.
We can add it to what I've already provided, to say that it would be available in the clerk's office for a week. In other words, we'll change “day” to “week”.
7:25 p.m.
NDP
Blake Desjarlais NDP Edmonton Griesbach, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
If members of the committee and the mover are satisfied with this iteration, with the addition of Mr. Housefather's last portion with regard to the week that Mr. McCauley mentioned, I'm satisfied with concluding debate at this point.
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Before we take a vote, I want to check the timing. I really don't want to come back here on, say, Good Friday. There are a few tripwires here that we can maybe agree to change with unanimous consent, but I believe it requires the documents be sent to the clerk's office within 15 days. Is that right, Mr. Clerk?
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
Yes, it is.
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
Does the motion say when we have to look at them, or that they just have to be delivered to you?
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
The department would have 15 days to actually send those documents to me. When I receive those documents, the committee would have to decide in a week to consult those documents in my office within 15 days afterward.
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
Yes.
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
If they are due on April 7, we would have until April 24, or at least April 22.
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
If I may, Chair, that is something that could be done, again, if we receive those documents during the week of April 17. If the committee agrees, we could meet, and agree to do that on April 24, but—
7:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
To be precise, they're due by April 7. That's two weeks from today, correct? That's 15 days—
7:25 p.m.
The Clerk
If the motion is adopted, yes.
7:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
I'm assuming, yes. We would then review them 15 days after that.
7:30 p.m.
The Clerk
Within 15 days.
7:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative John Williamson
That's fine. I need to have another week so that we don't have to be back here just after Easter.
Go ahead, Mr. Fragiskatos.
7:30 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Chair, I'm anticipating that we're moving towards a vote, but before we do, could we have the clerk read what we're voting on?