Evidence of meeting #1 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was jean.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Number 11 is on in camera meeting transcripts.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
I'd like the following to be added at the end of the motion: “On receipt of the motion, the Clerk shall place the motion on the agenda of the next committee meeting”. This would avoid situations where the clerk receives 48 hours' notice, and advises us that the motion will be debated at a meeting, whereas we're back in our riding or don't have the time to consider the subject-matter of the motion. If the motion were amended thusly, when the clerk receives 48 hours' notice, we would be certain that the motion would appear on the agenda of the next committee meeting.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Laframboise moves the following:
That 48 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages and that it be put on the Agenda of the next meeting of the Committee.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Mr. Jean has mentioned that the minister would be prepared to make himself available. Do we want to perhaps settle on a couple of days and allow the minister a chance to see where they fit into his schedule, or do we want to just ask him to come at his earliest convenience?”
Mr. Scott.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
I think it should be at his earliest convenience, but I don't think that would necessarily be the first thing we do.
I would suggest that we should all have an opportunity, perhaps, to discuss the work of the committee and what we would like to see the committee do. That probably would give the minister an opportunity to organize his ability to be here. I'd like that to be an opportunity so we can then give the steering committee a bit of a sense of direction when they do the work plan, based on our participation. We should be doing that as soon as possible.
May 4th, 2006 / 11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Chair, might I ask the purpose of the minister's visit? Is it a fishing expedition, or will he be addressing a specific topic?
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
In previous committees, quite often the minister was requested basically to give his thoughts on his department and the direction in which he may go. Obviously, members would have questions they would want to ask, and I would hope that if he couldn't answer them, he would be prepared to report back. It is just to understand the minister's position.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
This is probably best put when Mr. Jean is listening.
At our next meeting, if we could have that brainstorming exercise and know at that time when the minister would be available, we could then decide whether we think it's soon enough, and we'd have that discussion then.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I think it's a great idea. I can actually find dates when the minister is available.
Of course, we also have to deal with the issue of estimates. We should probably do that at the very first meeting, along with the brainstorming, to send them the message of where we're going and what we're going to do, as well as to get the ability to do so.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Don Bell Liberal North Vancouver, BC
I have a point. The Prime Minister of Australia is going to be here the day of our meeting, and I think the morning will be compressed. I don't know what it's going to do to the time available for our meeting. You may want to keep that in mind.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you.
There are two other things. Does the subcommittee want to have a meeting at some point in the near future to prepare, and if so, when and where? If it works for people, I would be prepared to host it in my office. We can set aside an hour or whatever time we need.
Mr. Scott.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
The only point I would make is that I would ask the subcommittee to wait and let's have one round hearing from everybody, before they start making work plan decisions.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I was only going to suggest that it may be appropriate for people to work on their own between now and the first meeting to get ideas of where they think we should concentrate. We can come back with at least some ideas of maybe 30 or 40 priorities, and we can then slash them down to 10 or whatever the committee thinks is reasonable. But we should work on it on our own first, so we don't have to waste committee time.
11:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Then I would ask that the next meeting be called for next Tuesday. Put your thinking caps on over the next few days and come forward with some direction for the committee.
The meeting is adjourned.