Canadian Heritage Committee on June 21st, 2011

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

“Completed motions that are received by close of business shall be distributed to members the same day” means that we're not waiting.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

But we're still requiring 48 hours.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Yes, absolutely.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

And 48 hours is two sleeps, correct?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

On that point, the clerk has asked for some clarification.

When we say “close of business”, if we could put a time, whether that be 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m....

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

We'll leave it up to you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Is there a time we could put on there?

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

What works for her, though?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Can we say 4 o'clock? Does that make sense?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Okay, so that would revise that motion, by saying “completed motions that are received by 4 o'clock shall be distributed to members the same day”.

Any further discussion?

Can you read that one more time, Mr. Calandra?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Yes.

I'll read the whole thing: that 48 hours’ notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee; that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the clerk in both official languages; and that completed motions that are received by 4 p.m. shall be distributed to members the same day.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Any further discussion?

Mr. Benskin.

[Tyrone Benskin, NDP, Jeanne-Le Ber, QC]

Just a quick clarification.

Are we dropping the “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”? It was read twice and that line wasn't read. I'm just wondering if that's being dropped.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Mr. Calandra.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

So under that motion that would be dropped, “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”.

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'd like to understand the desire to drop that line. It seems to me that we're talking about motions that come up as we're discussing, and those motions would require the unanimous consent anyway. If we take away the ability to do a motion on the floor, it could grind the business of our committee to a halt.

Many times we have worked out a motion as an issue comes up. I think that would really throw us backwards in terms of being able to address issues that sometimes come forward.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Mr. Calandra.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

We can keep it in there, that's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Okay.

The motion would read:

That 48 hours’ notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the clerk in both official languages; and that completed motions that are received by 4 o'clock shall be distributed to members the same day.

(Motion agreed to)

That is all we have on our agenda today, so unless there are any further questions or comments, I will declare the meeting adjourned.