Evidence of meeting #1 for Canada-China Relations in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
Mr. Chair, I don't think that there's any English interpretation.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
I can switch to English, but let's see if Mr. Bergeron is getting the French.
The French translation is working.
Okay, I guess I'll go on in English, although we need to have the interpretation of both languages working, of course.
Where was I?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you so much.
What is the situation in relation to that, Madam Clerk? Has a rule of some sort been set by the House? Where are we?
The Clerk
We're looking at the motion that was adopted on September 23, which states that the first meeting had to be virtual but that there then would be hybrid meetings. It's really the choice of the members. The member can come in person if they want to—that's totally acceptable—or also virtually as well. We'll have the two options.
The only thing is that if you would like to have some food or anything, please let me know in advance if you'll be there in person so I can take care of that.
Other than that, it's really up to the member.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
I hope that the interpretation is working now.
I think that Mr. Bergeron's question has been properly addressed.
Mr. Harris, you have the floor.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Thank you.
Maybe the clerk can help us with this. Whether we're having a virtual meeting or a hybrid meeting, does that make any difference with respect to the scheduling? Is one easier than the other, or are they on the same footing in terms of there being no constriction on our time if we're using one or the other?
Do you understand my question?
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Does it limit our flexibility if we choose one versus the other?
The Clerk
Basically, at the moment only four committees can sit at a time, even if it's hybrid or all virtual, because both meetings need to have a Zoom link and all the tech requirements and all of that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
I can tell you that for those of us in Atlantic Canada, and there are three of us, Mr. Harris, Ms. Zann and me—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Yes, and Mr. Williamson, pardon me.
Some may go to Ottawa and come back. I don't know if this is the case for all four provinces, but certainly in my province when you come back you have to self-isolate for 14 days; Mr. Harris also.
Is that also the case in New Brunswick, Mr. Williamson?
Conservative
John Williamson Conservative New Brunswick Southwest, NB
It's not legally, but I came back after the caucus meeting and was aware every day of those 14 days that I was out that it would be a bad political move to spread COVID. When I return next time, I'm going to self-monitor and stay close to home. I will allow myself to walk my dog off my property, because I live on a quiet street with no other homes.
So technically, no, but politically, yes. How's that for an answer?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Okay. That's fine. That's very helpful.
At any rate, you can see there are certain constraints because of that, so I expect that some of us will continue to wish to do the hybrid model. We now know how this can work.
With that, I don't see anything else....
Hopefully, we're going to close in a moment, but first, Mr. Paul-Hus, it's your turn.
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I don't want to be rude. We've taken a long time to sort out a number of small procedures. However, I wanted to table a motion so that it could be sent to the committee quickly. I think that the motion can be addressed in a matter of minutes. Can I table it?
Conservative
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
The motion reads as follows: “That the committee study the national security issues related to its mandate for four or five meetings, including, but not limited to, cybersecurity and the threat of foreign influence, and that the committee report its findings to the House.”
The motion concerns the future, when we'll have completed the work in progress. Its purpose is to ensure that we work quickly in connection with the motion in place in our committee concerning everything related to cybersecurity, national security and the influence of the Chinese communist regime on Canada. I think that this is part of what we must do as quickly as possible.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you, Mr. Paul-Hus.
We don't really have time to discuss this motion right now. I can see that Mr. Bergeron wants to make a comment. I'll give the floor to Mr. Bergeron. You understand that we must end this meeting fairly quickly.
Mr. Bergeron, you have the floor.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
In the work plan on the study of Canada's relationship with China, part of our work must address the security issue. As a result, if we don't have time to adopt the formal motion today, I want to reassure Mr. Paul-Hus that it doesn't mean that the issue isn't important. The issue is already included in the work plan that we agreed on a few moments ago.