Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) Committee on Oct. 30th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

The only thing I would ask the mover to potentially add to that is that we would have televised coverage.

To the motion, Mr. Moore.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Just to be clear, the minister will be here as close as possible to 4:30. I can't guarantee that at 4:30 he'll be sitting in that chair, but it will be as soon as possible. Then, of course, the bells will ring and we'll make our way to votes for 5:45.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Thank you.

Monsieur Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary not to push his luck. What a bad start it will be if the minister arrives at 5:00 p.m. and leaves at 5:30 p.m. So we are expecting the minister to interrupt his other activities and to be here at 4:30 p.m. as is his responsibility. Let us be clear on that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Mr. Moore, you can go one more time before we vote here.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

I think all members would agree that it is a little odd--I've never seen this happen before--to have officials appear before the minister does. For the initial introduction of a bill, usually the minister speaks, and then officials are there to take some detailed questions.

I would prefer to stick with what was offered--that the minister and officials appear from 4:30 to 5:30. Then if necessary the minister and officials--not just officials, but the minister as well--can appear after our votes. I'm not entirely comfortable--and I don't know if anyone here can say that it's ever happened before--that on a bill, ministerial officials would appear before the minister would. I've never seen it happen. There are, though, people here who have been here longer than I have.

[Carole Freeman, Bloc, Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC]

After the vote, there will be speeches in the House. I am making one; Mr. Comartin too. This is starting to get difficult. At the moment, I feel that the opposition is making every effort to cooperate. But each time we find a solution, it seems that Mr. Moore comes up with some other obstacle. As my colleague said, this is not a good start. We certainly want to cooperate, but don't push your luck, dear Mr. Moore.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

We have a motion.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I am ready to amend the motion. I agree with the principle of ministerial responsibility. Officials should appear after their ministers. I fully understand that it does not make much sense to allow non-elected people to speak before an elected one. But I have to insist that we are expecting the minister at 4:30 p.m. So, if Ms. Jennings and my Liberal and NDP colleagues are in agreement, I will withdraw the part of my motion that invited the officials to appear at 3:30 p.m. Ministerial responsibility wins the day. So let us hear from the minister and his officials at 4:30 p.m.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Let me read the motion, and then I will recognize Mr. Bagnell, and then we'll have the vote: that the minister appear from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with his officials, that the meeting be televised, and that the minister and his officials appear again before the committee if needed before we enter into clause-by-clause.

Mr. Bagnell.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

That's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

All right.

Mr. Comartin.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

We're not going to meet after the votes then? Did I misunderstand that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

With his officials.... No, we wouldn't meet after.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

So we'd stop at 5:30, 5:45.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Okay. I'll call the question.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Unanimous. Thank you.

[An hon. member]

That's a good start.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

It's a very good start.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

We are so reasonable.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

In terms of diving into routine motions here, next we have the services of analysts from the Library of Parliament. Can I get a motion for that?

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

It is moved by Mr. Bagnell and seconded by Mr. Ménard that the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist in its work.

Are there questions? Is it agreed?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Now that we've adopted that motion, I'd like to invite Mr. Robin MacKay to sit beside us. Mr. MacKay is the analyst provided by the library, and for now he is working on the legislative summary that shall be ready in the very near future.

Thank you.

Do I have a mover for a reduced quorum?

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I want to make an amendment about the reduced quorum, Mr. Chair.