Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 4th, 2016

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I can present my suggestion as a motion, if you prefer, Mr. Vandal. But goodness knows how much the Conservative government enjoyed asserting its power and majority last year. We were all well aware of that. We dealt with the situation and we did what we had to to get work done, despite it.

I'm just a bit surprised by that choice. No matter what, you're not at all at risk of losing an important decision, since the clerk can swing the vote in your party's favour if there's ever a panic. If that's how you see it, fine. I can bring forward a motion but I don't think that will change anything. I won't waste the committee's time. We have important business to tend to. The media are moving around us, and we need to work quickly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Nantel.

Everyone, if you understand and you've read the new guidelines for what other committees have been doing, there is a parliamentary secretary on the steering committee. How does everyone feel about that?

As you know, parliamentary secretaries are not going to be voting on any of these committees.

Mr. Vandal.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I'd like to move a motion.

I move:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, two Government Members and; that the quorum of the Subcommittee consist of at least three (3) members, including one (1) member of the government and one member of the opposition; that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one assistant attend any meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and that, in addition, each party be permitted to have one staff member of a House Officer attend any meeting.

That is my motion, Madam Chair.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Do we have a copy of that? It's not the same as right here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think different copies are being circulated, yes.

In this new document, there is no mention of parliamentary secretaries. That was in the older document. We're dealing with this new document now.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

We are in favour of the proposed motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Sorry, Mr. Van Loan, but Mr. Nantel was in line, and then it will be you.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Van Loan, I would be happy if you considered that it would be nice to make sure that the quorum includes both opposition parties.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I think it's a reasonable idea. But, if it becomes difficult to obtain a quorum, we don't want one party having veto power. That's a problem.

I suppose we could always return to the rules if that became a persistent problem, but I don't have a problem with that if you wanted to propose it as an amendment. I would support it.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Madam Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, Mr. Vandal.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I think it's important. A quorum is usually the majority, and the majority of five is three. There may be instances when things have to occur very quickly because of travel and the fact that there's only one member of the third party. We need to be nimble. The other two members need to be represented, so I think I'm speaking against this suggestion in order to keep things going very quickly. As I read it, that would be the preferred option.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Is there any further discussion?

Mr. Van Loan.

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

I think there is merit in the notion that in setting an agenda, there be an ability.... There's certainly the ability of the third party to be there. I think I'd be prepared to try including them in the quorum, provided it didn't demonstrate a desire to shut down the work of the committee.

In terms of an opportunity to protect the rights of the minority, I don't think it's a bad idea.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

May I clarify, Mr. Nantel? Does that mean, then, that you're suggesting the quorum be four members?

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Exactly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

All right. Is there any further discussion?

Shall we put the vote?

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

It hasn't been presented in the form of a motion yet.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Would you like to amend the motion as it stands?

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Yes. So I will move a motion so that—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Right now it's for three members. He's moving for four members.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Would you like me to present it in the form of a motion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Very well.

I move that we adopt a quorum consisting of four members.

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Can we perhaps just vote on this motion that's been put forward by Mr. Vandal? We've had some discussion, but I'd suggest that we move toward the vote.