Evidence of meeting #28 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Madam Chair, let me get this clear. The subcommittee would not reflect the composition of the full committee, given that it would only have one Conservative member and all the other members would be from the opposition. Would that mean that the decisions made by the steering committee would not be subsequently debated here?
Mrs. Boucher, are you saying that if the steering committee decides our priorities, we can no longer debate them once they get here?
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
At the Standing Committee on Official Languages, decisions were made at the subcommittee. At meetings of the committee as such, the other members were told about the discussions and the conclusions we had come to and all members were asked for their opinion.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, I would like to see the status quo. I think we made a good decision initially. There's wisdom in greater discussion, and I rely very much on being able to hear that back-and-forth exchange, because I feel we make much better decisions.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Madam Chair, I think we had a fairly full discussion when we made the decision to deal with it in committee rather than in subcommittee. I've served on committees in which both processes have been in place. Some work, and some don't.
I guess I was just convinced, when Ms. Demers asked the question, that it would mean we would discuss, argue, debate, or whatever the same issues twice. I think once is enough for me.
Thank you.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Madam Neville.
You did not make a motion, Ms. Boucher, but just a suggestion, and I think I'm getting a consensus or a sense from the committee that they want to stay with the status quo.
All right.
Now, we're in camera still, and I just wanted us—
9:40 a.m.
A voice
We're not in camera. We didn't pause.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Oh, I thought we had.
Can we go in camera now, please?
Thank you.
[Proceedings continue in camera]