Evidence of meeting #1 for Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
9:10 a.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I would generally agree with my dear cousin at the other end of the table--
9:10 a.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
9:10 a.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
--but I'm not willing to support the reduced quorum motion. I find that very problematic. If we are going to have a committee that thoroughly examines things, there has to be a sense that the public would trust that. We're going to do this as the committee and people have to show up for it. I don't like the idea that as long as three members show up, they can hold the meeting. That's not acceptable to me in a committee like this.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
Let me suggest that we proceed on the proposed routine motions, minus the reduced quorum and the questioning of witnesses. Then, if there is general consensus on all those points, we would go back and visit number 3 and number 9. Is there a general consensus?
Madame Lavallée.
9:15 a.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
The seventh motion deals with the presence of staff at in camera meetings. We would have to add the words "and a member of the party" so that a member from our whips' offices can attend. That is a customary add-on in various committees, so you will easily find wording for that.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
All right. What I was going to say is that I mis-numbered them in terms of.... We don't have consensus on 3, or 7, or 10. Is that correct?
9:15 a.m.
A voice
Yes.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
Okay. So why don't we have a motion to approve 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9?
9:15 a.m.
An hon. member
I so move.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
Okay. That's moved by Mr. McTeague and seconded by Mr. Del Mastro.
Is there any discussion? All in favour?
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
That's carried, so we'll go back to number 3, on reduced quorum. Can we have a motion to that effect?
Mr. Del Mastro.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Well, I don't know what number Mr. Angus would see as appropriate in this instance. That said, I won't have the committee held up because some folks can't fit it into their schedules. I would suggest if it's not three members, perhaps.... The total membership of this committee is what, 10, 11? So I'd entertain a motion at six, so that we'd greater than a half of the committee here. If folks can't fit it into their schedule, I'm not going to have the committee held hostage for that.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gord Brown
Do we have a seconder? I want to get the motion on the floor. Then we'll have comments.
9:15 a.m.
The Clerk
We don't need a seconder.
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
I have a question for Mr. Del Mastro. You're suggesting that there would be six members present?
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
At least? Then how do we break up in “including one member of the opposition”?
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
There would have to be at least one member from the opposition.
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Sure, if you like. I would anticipate that Conservative members would be present at all times and--
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
All right. I would suggest then that perhaps that number would at least be consistent here. If you're going to double the number, you also would double the number of members of the opposition to two.