Evidence of meeting #38 for Canadian Heritage in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was programs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm sorry, Dick. You go ahead. I'll go next.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Thank you.
Notwithstanding what Mr. Coderre has asked us to embrace, the fact remains that regarding September 2, which I think is Tuesday of next week, for me the logistics are that I have to go back to my riding. I have functions there as a member of Parliament, as these members have. Some live much closer to Ottawa than I do. I had intended to be on this committee during these hearings and I would ask Mr. Coderre to respect the fact that I live about 2,500 air miles away from here, which translates to about eight hours of travel, and it's simply impossible for me to get back here on Tuesday and, by suggestion, the following week. Since there will be a number of different witnesses coming, it likely would mean that if we were to meet on Tuesday then we'd meet on Friday. I'd have to fly here for Tuesday, fly back to my riding, and come back on Friday. Why don't we set something that would be convenient to everyone?
I know it would be if we were to schedule the week of September 9, for example, and schedule multiple meetings throughout the whole week, since it appears that there'll be a lot of witnesses. That would give us all time to make arrangements to be here for the entire week. We could have two meetings a day, if we wanted, and get it all done. Why not? Before the election.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, the committee did pass a motion with respect to witnesses. We did have a vote on that. We did pass a motion that we would have our witnesses in by Friday. My understanding is that it has been tailored to Friday at noon. That is a motion that the committee has passed, and I would expect that everyone can abide by that. It was passed unanimously.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
It was agreed by everyone around the table that we would submit our witness list by Friday, if folks are intent on meeting next week.
Now, I am sensitive to what Mr. Harris is saying. The Liberals members across the table knew to book the days of next week off because they had a caucus scheduled, so they didn't make commitments in their ridings. I know I personally am scheduled to make a presentation before city council, for example, on September 2. I am a member of this committee, and I have a number of other commitments that I'd made on the second. I have commitments on the third; I have commitments on the fourth. These are all commitments I've made in my riding.
I would suggest it's certainly reasonable to look to the middle of next week, if members are so intent that this is so important. As I said, I think we have a great story to tell, and I'm happy both to talk about what the government's investments have been and to look forward to what the benefits of those investments will yield in the future. I'm happy to do that. If we want to look toward the middle of next week, as I said, I am sympathetic to Mr. Harris. We've had an awful lot of committee meetings here this summer—I've been a part of many of them—and I do think it's a bit of an imposition on members to ask them to come here.
I was actually going to suggest, Mr. Chair, that you might look at a date somewhere between the second and fourth, or the second to the fourth, recognizing of course that there would be logistical difficulties, frankly, getting a list in and getting people here through a long weekend. The cost of getting people here through a long weekend and the cost of staying in hotels on a long weekend is more. I think we should look at how quickly we can pull it together.
Listen, if Mr. Dion could even find time to make a phone call to the Prime Minister, these guys might not be panicking so much, but apparently his time is precious and our time is not. That said, as I said, we have nothing to hide, but I think the chair should be given the latitude, if it's next week, to set dates that logistically work for the people who we're looking to have here.
2:55 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Malo Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC
Mr. Chair, I have a very quick question for the clerk. I recall that we voted for a meeting to be held on September 2. There was a vote and it was agreed to.
2:55 p.m.
Procedural Clerk, Table Research Branch, House of Commons
Well, it was mentioned, but it was not presented in the form of a motion. As I understand it, the idea was put forward, but there was a little confusion.
2:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
I think it was voted on a question, on a suggestion. It wasn't a formal motion. If we want to make that formal motion, then we can vote on it. My whole thing is that this meeting is about to be over and our two hours are up. We have said that the clerk will receive the list. We will then set the meeting after we get the list.
A point of order.
3 p.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chair, what I propose is this. We agree that on Friday at noon you have a list. We would be ready, in our case, to be there on the second. So I would suggest, because we want a meeting, that if there is a vote we will win. I would propose respectfully then that we decide it's for sure that we have a meeting next week, and considering the list, you'll be able to convey that we have a meeting next week.
3 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Mr. Chair, you can't make an amendment on a point of order, first of all, and of course, secondly, we're not opposing that meetings be held as soon as possible.
3 p.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
I was addressing the chair and I'm expecting the chair, not Mr. Del Mastro, to discuss—
3 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
My suggestion then is that the lists get sent to the clerk. The clerk will get the lists, and we'll see if we can put a meeting together on the Tuesday. If it's feasible, if we can get witnesses for the Tuesday, if we can make it happen, that's when we will make it happen.
Mr. Harris is going to be just like me; we're going to have problems. Someone else might have to chair the meeting, because I might not be able to be here myself.
3 p.m.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
The only thing I want to stress is that we want a meeting next week. We will be there to be helpful, to make sure we can have one on the second.
3 p.m.
Conservative