Agriculture Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2009

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

If we limit ourselves by saying we must have a member of each party, we risk encountering the following problem. The quorum is reduced, someone decides not to discuss a certain issue, and does not show up. As a result, the committee cannot sit.

I think we have a responsibility here. Earlier on, someone mentioned that witnesses come from far away. There are not many of us on this committee, but we have to have a quorum. We need to have some flexibility and not require members from all parties to be present. A member from one party could decide not to show up, and we will not be able to sit.

That is why it is loosely worded. We had in fact decided it would be five members, but Mr. Lemieux has proposed four. I don't see a big difference between four and five members, but with four committee members present, including a member of the opposition, I think we could respect witnesses who come here and continue to do our work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Thank you, Mr. Bellevance.

Mr. Atamanenko.

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

I would not want to come to a meeting and find out it is not taking place. There has to be a member from each party. André could decide not to come because his issue does not concern Quebec. In that case, there wouldn't be a meeting.

I agree, and I'm going to support André's comments, contrary to what Brian believes. That way, we will be sure to have our meetings.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I think that's the goal here, to make it so that there aren't any disruptions.

Mr. Shipley, and then Mr. Storseth.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Well, no, I was just following up in terms of the representation in the protection that comes later on. And again, if we go back, if I understand the amendment to that, there's a time limit and, then, actually, the only change is that you would still be able to hear the witness, but that there wouldn't be a vote if there wasn't the reduced quorum at the meeting.

So I think if we were to move those numbers to four, that would be the preferred amendment to have. You'd never want to take away the opportunity for the people who come as witnesses to be witnesses, but it may have to get deferred, in terms of a vote.

I haven't been on this committee, but I've subbed in, and I don't remember when people didn't show up. I think this committee has been responsible, in terms of agriculture, as the chair said. We obviously don't always agree on everything, but that isn't the purpose of being on the committee. The purpose is to work out the best solutions for agriculture.

So I would just want to make sure we have that clear understanding, and I would move that amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Before I proceed, which amendment are you proposing? Mr. Lemieux has already moved an amendment--

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

So that's what we're discussing.

Mr. Storseth.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Just to clarify for the opposition, this has nothing to do with the government. We're simply talking about opposition parties needing to be represented in order to have a reduced quorum. If the government's here, we have quorum anyway, and if Mr. Atamanenko and Mr. Bellavance don't want it in their party's rights.... I would find it disturbing if the NDP didn't want to show up to a meeting and therefore used their power to not have reduced quorum by not showing up at a meeting.

I'm simply saying with my proposed amendment that the Liberal Party, for example, couldn't just hold their own meeting and call it a reduced quorum. That's the point. But if that's not of concern to the opposition, then we can move on with it as it is. I know Mr. Easter speaks for the other side lots of time anyway.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I want to clarify something as chair, Mr. Storseth. Mr. Storseth you insinuated that you almost--

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

I proposed a friendly amendment. If it's not acceptable, then that's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay. If it's not accepted as a friendly amendment, are you proposing it otherwise?

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

No, that's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay.

Mr. Bellavance.

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

I just want to check my understanding of Mr. Lemieux's amendment with Brian. The motion remains as it stands, except that instead of three members—and I agree with him that two members plus the chair must look like a strange quorum for the witnesses—he wants one of the three members to be a member of the opposition. So we are not adversely affected at all. To have a quorum, one member of the opposition must be present and there must be four members in total, rather than three.

Mr. Lemieux, is that the nature of your amendment, to go from three to four members?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Yes, I am moving that the reduced quorum go from three to four members.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Is there any further discussion?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Let me just ask a question, Chair. Is it possible in that scenario that a meeting could happen without our being there?

[An hon. member]

Yes.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

That makes me uncomfortable.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

If you didn't show up--

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

But it would be only to receive information.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

It would be only to receive information. It would not be to pass motions or to vote.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

That's as far as the reduced quorum goes. Quorum is still six, I believe. You have to have six to have a regular--

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

It's seven--the chair and six.