Evidence of meeting #1 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
It isn't a problem. Basically what we do at steering is simply look at future business and each bring our concerns. The chair has as much right as the other members have. It's an open meeting. We don't have the mikes on, as we do at these kinds of meetings. It's pretty freewheeling. We bring our issues to the table and we work together as a group. It's not done in a formal way, not like this kind of meeting.
So I see nothing wrong with the previous structure as we had it, and I would see nothing wrong with the chair bringing forward his or her ideas in terms of where the direction of the committee should go.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
Well, our preference is that we have that additional member, but if the opposition can assure us that they're not concerned about the chair bringing forward issues from the government side, so that he's not in the position where he's supposed to be neutral while chairing the meeting at the same time as having to deal with the issues, then we can live with that, I think.
Liberal
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
But ultimately, it has to go back to the full committee, where we look at what our future business is. And I have never seen that agenda that we set being the final word on it, as you well know.
We've had many changes to the agenda as we go forward, but it's at least putting it on the table so we have something to go from.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
I'd just like to build on what Larry and David said. I think that committees are supposed to be reflective. When we look around at this table right now, we have a chair that's impartial, we have the opposition, we have members of government. Well, if we struck this committee with three members, for all intents and purposes, we don't have a representative from the government. It's pretty obvious if we remove the members of the government here, and he's the chair there, yes, he is a Conservative, but nevertheless as a chair, he's supposed to remain as impartial as possible.
So I would like to have the opportunity, or one of my colleagues, to be able to put forth ideas from this side of the table, as well as from that side. Like Larry said, you're not prejudicing your chances at all.
Liberal
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
If I may, and to tell you, Mr. Lauzon, if that argument of yours then holds, then the chair is really neutered.
Liberal
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
No, but basically with the argument you're making, what you're really saying is you want a voice at the table for the Conservative Party, and that's fairly said. I don't have any problem with that.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Yes, I think we need a legitimate voice.
Liberal
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
I'm prepared, as a member of this impartial group, when we get together to put our things on the table, to allow the chair to do that. But you're suggesting he should not be allowed to bring forward his issues, only you or someone else from your side should do that, and I don't think that's fair.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Well, how is he going to call you or me or anyone else out of order, if he's lobbying for the government?
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Chairman, I simply wanted to point out to Mr. Lauzon that at the steering committee our discussions never degenerated to the point where you had to call for order. In fact, we've always had informal and constructive discussions.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Okay. Any other discussion?
We have a motion on the floor, the motion being the one that was proposed by Guy.
Liberal
Ken Boshcoff Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
I have a point of order: that should the proposal fail, then the existing resolution would stand.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I'll put it on the floor. Nothing stands right now. Everything has to come back.
Conservative
Liberal
Ken Boshcoff Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Then I would propose the previous subcommittee on agenda and procedure's resolution: that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be established and be composed of the chair, the two vice-chairs, and a member of the other opposition party.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Okay. Any comments on that? We've had plenty of discussion already.
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Okay, a reduced quorum. Does somebody want it moved?
Mr. Bellavance.