Bill C-27 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) Committee on May 8th, 2007

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

I'm concerned about scheduling. Before we get into this—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

That's the next one, item 6. We're on item 4 now.

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

It's just that we're talking about witnesses, so I assumed we're going to talk about—

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

We talked about item 4, the appearance of the Minister of Justice, and we can go right now to the schedule of meetings. That's no problem.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

The meetings are scheduled right now. Next week they will be Tuesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 16. We're finishing Bill C-35, and on Tuesday, May 29, we'll be doing clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-35. If everything is fine, on Wednesday, May 30, we could have the Minister of Justice for Bill C-27, if we want to keep the same schedule—

The clerk tells me that on May 30, the Minister of Justice is in front of the justice committee.

Go ahead, Monsieur Ménard.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I'm pleased you said that because it seems to me we should try as far as possible to start our proceedings on this bill once we've completed the study of Bill C-35. We were a bit scared. On the opposition side, they're the same people, with a few exceptions. As for the rest, we have three committees that are sitting twice a week. That's starting to be a lot.

Do we agree on how things will operate? We can keep the same slot, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, following question period. We would start consideration of Bill C-27 once Bill C-35 is complete. Are you telling us we're going to the end of May?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

On May 29, consideration of Bill C-35 should be completed.

[Réal Ménard, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

I imagine the government didn't think we'd finish with Bill C-27 before the summer recess. I officially move that we meet in the same time slot once the study of Bill C-35 is completed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

Okay. The clerk asked me if the standing committee could meet for half an hour to discuss all the witnesses, but I'm not sure it's necessary. You could all send the lists of witnesses all parties want to appear in front of us for Bill C-27. I'll have no problem with this; everyone is here today. It's up to every party to send a list, and we're going to choose from the lists at that time. Sometimes the same witness could appear. You'll remember that this is what happened on Bill C-35.

Go ahead, Madame Jennings.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

If i understand correctly, Mr. Ménard is moving that our committee not start its meetings on Bill C-27 until the legislative committee on Bill C-35 has completed its proceedings. As we have decided to meet normally on Tuesdays and Wednesday afternoons, theoretically, the first committee meeting would be held on June 5, at 3:30 p.m. There would also be another meeting on Wednesday, June 6, at 3:30 p.m.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

Yes.

[Marlene Jennings, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC]

If everyone agrees on that, the steering committee won't need to meet. We can simply set the deadline for each person to send his or her witness list. That would give our clerk the time to collect them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

Does everyone agree with the comments from Ms. Jennings that we are going to start Bill C-27 after we finish Bill C-35, and that we feel we're going to finish by Tuesday, May 29, and on May 30 there will be no committee because justice has a meeting on Wednesday afternoon on May 30?

Yes, Mr. Moore.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

I have one comment on that. That would be subject to Bill C-35 running that course, and also subject to that justice—If that justice committee meeting, for whatever reason by the time May 30 rolls around, is not on May 30, I would think where justice normally meets 9 to 11 Tuesdays and Thursdays, that we might be able to start. Barring something unforeseen happening, I'm in agreement with that.

Are we deciding right now on the time being...? The suggestion is there for Wednesday--is that the suggestion, at 3:30?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

Tuesday and Wednesday usually, 3:30 to 5:30.

[A voice]

Starting what day?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

It's going to be on June 5, and Wednesday, June 6. But as Mr. Moore pointed out, if there is no meeting of the justice committee on Wednesday afternoon, May 30, we'll start on May 30 on Wednesday afternoon.

Madame Davidson.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Chairman, are Tuesdays and Wednesdays cast in stone then? I have committee meetings Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

If you have meetings on the four days, even if we switch days, you're going to have some meetings. I have meetings also on Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

They can't be in the mornings?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

That's the only time, because on Wednesday all the caucuses meet. It's impossible for Wednesday morning. And on Tuesday we have the justice committee, and I am on the foreign affairs committee also. It's very difficult. That's why the members have chosen Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.

So that's fine with this? Okay, the schedule of meeting.

Budget—Do you have enough money?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Richard Dupuis]

At this time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bernard Patry]

Okay, that's it.

The meeting is adjourned. Merci.