Public Safety Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Yes, if I could offer just a bit of additional information, I understand that there's an agreement among the House leaders that estimates will be given priority and that some of the other committees are already dealing with estimates. The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and at least one other committee are already dealing with estimates this week.

That probably is something that should be taken into consideration. They are seeking agreement among the parties to deal with the estimates next week in the House. I don't know what communication there's been through other caucuses, but I understand that there is some agreement among the House leaders on this. Whether that's penetrated to everybody, I don't know.

I just wanted to put that on the table for your consideration.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

I think we can still deal with the estimates on Thursday.

Can we not call the minister in? Does anybody know? This committee was probably one of the last committees to be formed, so we're up against it.

We'll go to Mr. MacKenzie.

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

It think that's true, but I think we need to follow some process, and our process should be that on Tuesday we discuss future business.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Yes, I'm in error. We really have to wait until Tuesday to discuss this.

Do you want to wrap it up, Mr. McColeman?

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brant, ON]

Yes, I'd like to move for adjournment until Tuesday, at which time we will deal with future business.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Are you all in agreement with that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

We'll go to Monsieur Ménard.

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Are we going to do the same as last time, that is, to ask members to submit topics they would like studied so that we can see the areas of natural consensus and, on Tuesday, decide the order of priority more effectively?

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Yes, I thought this was what we would do Tuesday. Everybody would bring their suggestions to the committee, and then we would try to prioritize them.

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Agreed, but do we send them in advance?

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

I think Mr. Holland suggested that you consult each other and talk about these things between now and then. I think that's fine.

Mr. Holland.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

There may be an advantage in, for example, each caucus e-mailing the matters it would like to discuss. It is just easier and more efficient if the committee understands the topics for discussion. It is a good place to start.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Go ahead and do that. That's something you can do among yourselves.

Seeing no more hands being raised...

Go ahead, Mr. MacKenzie.

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

I wonder if we could just hold on a minute here. We have some high-level consultation going on.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Yes, Mr. MacKenzie.

[Dave MacKenzie, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Before we adjourn, in response to Mr. Harris, I'm told that if the committee wants, the minister could be here on Tuesday, but it would be the committee's choice.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

It is highly unusual that we allow a motion. Do you wish to have...?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax—Pickering, ON]

We'll discuss it on Tuesday.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

We'll discuss it on Tuesday, okay.

So I guess we will not have the minister here on Tuesday. The agenda will be sent out by the clerk, and it will be future business of the committee on Tuesday. I look forward to meeting you all.

This meeting stands adjourned.