Agriculture Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

My understanding is that some committees have it at six.

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

Just to clarify, then, with reduced quorum we're talking about just receiving evidence.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

It would move it from three to four. This motion here would allow you to receive information with three. With the amendment, you would have to have four members in order to receive information.

Does everybody understand? Is there any further debate?

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Now we need a motion on the main motion as amended. Is there any discussion?

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We now move on to distribution of documents.

Mr. Storseth.

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

Mr. Chair, if I might, I would move the motions on--and I think if everybody followed along on the translated version, we could safely do this--distribution of documents, working meals, witnesses' expenses, and in camera meeting transcripts. I think we could move all those in one motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

You've heard Mr. Storseth's suggestion. Is there any issue with that or any discussion?

Mr. Eyking.

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

Are there any changes from regular routine motions here?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I'd have to check with the clerk, but I don't believe so.

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

I have no problem with that, unless somebody has changed it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Are you proposing a motion, Mr. Storseth, to adopt those as one?

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

Yes, I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

You have heard the motion as moved by Mr. Storseth.

Mr. Bellavance.

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

I just want to clarify one thing. I saw the clerk react to my question, but what is been presented is what the committee already does, isn't it? If there is a change, it must be discussed. If there is no change, I don't have a problem, because it was working well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Madam Clerk is saying that they're the same, André.

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

You're rolling together which ones?

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

The distribution of documents, working meals, witnesses' expenses, and in camera meeting transcripts.

[An hon. member]

And staff at in camera meetings?

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

We're going to have to talk about that one. We want to make sure that you can have a party staffer there.

[An hon. member]

Okay, that's good.

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

You see? I'm trying to be open and honest with you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

If it's okay with the committee, on staff at in camera meetings--

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

Wait; that one's not on the table.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Oh, it's not on your list. My apologies; I thought you had said it was part of it.

So it includes up to witnesses' expenses.

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

And in camera meeting transcripts.