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

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

I'll put the motion on the floor.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Mr. Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

We would like to make an amendment. Given the importance of this bill, and the seriousness of our work, we do not want the reduced quorum to be three; we want it to be five.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Five, one of whom is an opposition member?

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Five, two of whom are opposition members.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Agreed. Do you see the fine distinction?

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Yes, two members of the opposition. That is what we passed last time, if memory serves.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

All right. So we're changing “three” members to “five”, and we'll include two members of the opposition rather than one.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

On the distribution of documents, that only the clerk....

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

I so move.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Next is working meals.

[An hon. member]

I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Now is witness expenses.

[An hon. member]

I so move.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Next is staff at in camera meetings.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

We want to move an amendment like the one we passed in our last legislative committee, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

I just need a mover. Sorry, Mr. Ménard.

Ms. Jennings so moves.

Mr. Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

At the end of the motion, it says “[...] be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person [...]”. We would like to add one member of the staff of each party's whip. Mr. Chair, you know how gregarious and invaluable these people are. In their minds, at least.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Mr. Moore.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

I agree with Mr. Ménard, but instead of saying “from the whip's staff”, could we say “from party staff” or something to that effect, because it might be someone from a House leader's office, not the whip's office.

[An hon. member]

But it would be one.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

One.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Dykstra]

Mr. Ménard, is that acceptable?