Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 14th, 2020

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Yes, exactly. I'd like you to have copies in both official languages, as with the other motions.

As is the case for Mr. Champoux's and Mrs. Bessette's motions—and perhaps other motions we'll be receiving this afternoon—I'd like us to have the opportunity to examine and discuss them with our fellow members and to propose amendments or roll certain motions into one so they can be put on notice together.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

It's the same procedure as last time.

Thank you, Mr. Rayes, for the clarification. Again, you have my apologies.

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

I just want to comment on the main estimates one, because that is more standard. Much as for everything else, we can talk about wording, but assuming that the main estimates one—we can read it again—has standard main estimates wording, we might want to vote on that today just so the clerk can get to actually finding a date. It can sometimes be a bit tricky to organize a date with a minister's office, and it might be nice to have that there given the timeline.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you, Ms. Dabrusin.

My apologies to Mr. Shields, as well. I jumped ahead. I have to get away from this hand-waving thing.

Mr. Shields, go ahead.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

It's still on a different motion that I want to introduce.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

All right.

Mr. Waugh.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

I want to thank MP Rayes, MP McPherson and MP Champoux because, in the last seven or eight months, the Department of Heritage has sent out hundreds of thousands of dollars to special interest groups, as we were discussing. That's good, but I do think that when we bring these motions back—all three of them, from Madame Bessette, Mr. Rayes and Mr. Champoux—that will give us an idea of what the heritage department has done to help us with culture, arts and sports.

We all know that Minister Guilbeault has sent money out to different groups, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we need to see where the money has gone. That's why I agree with Mr. Rayes that if we could get the minister here to look at the estimates and put two and two together, then we would know who is left out, as Mr. Champoux and Madame Bessette mentioned in their motions.

It's just a thought. We've all been gone from Ottawa for months now. We do see the announcements being made, but at the same time, we need to refresh our minds as to who in fact has gotten money over the last seven or eight months.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you, Mr. Waugh.

Before we move on, Ms. Dabrusin suggested that we initiate a vote in acceptance of the second motion on notice from Mr. Rayes.

Mr. Rayes, if you'd like to address what was proposed by Ms. Dabrusin, because this is committee business you can proceed to a vote if you wish. Perhaps you'd like to discuss that.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

I'm glad Ms. Dabrusin is in favour of doing that. We can at least vote on the motion to get the ball rolling and have the clerk follow up with the minister's office.

I'll read it a second time so it's clear for everyone.

That the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage ask the Minister of Canadian Heritage to appear before the committee, along with Department of Canadian Heritage officials, to discuss the department's main estimates and spending priorities, and that this meeting be held before November 24, 2020.

I can read it in English as well, if you like, but I think everyone has access to interpretation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

I think that should suffice.

Are there any questions for Mr. Rayes, or any discussion on this point?

Mr. Champoux, you may go ahead.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Chair, I have no objection to the motion, on the contrary. I think it could really help the committee in its work.

Oddly enough, while some may think November 24 is quite soon, I think we should do everything we can to meet with the minister much earlier than that—as soon as possible, in fact—considering that what the committee does next will depend on the information it gets from the minister and his officials.

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

I hear what Monsieur Champoux is proposing, and I think we would all like to hear from the minister. I don't think there's a problem with that, except that it has to work within his schedule. I believe the date proposed by Mr. Rayes is the date by which estimates have to be voted upon.

I just want clarification—perhaps the clerk can help me—on whether the deadline date is the 24th or the 27th for the return of the main estimates. I think the deadline as it works in the motion is fine, because we will endeavour to find the soonest date, but it's going to have to take scheduling. That can get a bit complex at times.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Before I go to Mr. Rayes, Mr. Clerk, would you like to weigh in on that?

[The Clerk]

I'm absolutely happy to do that.

As Ms. Dabrusin pointed out, there is indeed a deadline. The main estimates must be reported back to the House no later than Friday, November 27. However, unlike supplementary or interim estimates, there is no floating deadline, so we can say that the 27th is the latest date to get it back to the House.

If I understand the motion correctly, we are working with a deadline of having the minister before the committee by the 24th at the latest. Again, that is the latest, so we would be working with the parameters of trying to get him in anytime between now and November 24. I think that would build in quite a bit of flexibility.

I will leave it at that, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Otherwise, Tom, it would just be reported back unscrutinized. Got it.

Mr. Rayes, you may go ahead.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you.

I'm not sure whether Mr. Champoux is still comfortable with the motion, but if not, I would be happy to amend the end as follows:

that this meeting be held as soon as possible and no later than November 24, 2020.

That is usually how it's done. That would show how important it is to the committee to hold the meeting as soon as possible. With your consent, I propose amending my own motion to hold the meeting as soon as possible and no later than November 24, 2020.

I'm not sure whether I can do that, Mr. Chair. I'm trying to find a compromise that works for everyone.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

You heard the motion as originally read with “November 24”. Now we've included the “as soon as possible”, with a deadline date as well. Let's make this official. Let's vote on the amendment first, as put forward by Mr. Rayes.

I should have asked if there's any more discussion about that.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Done. We have that motion.

Mr. Shields, you are next, sir.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I withdraw at this time. We have enough on the table.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

That was pretty straightforward now, wasn't it?

Thank you, Mr. Shields. Your directness is always appreciated.

Is there any further business? Does anyone else want to bring something to the floor?

Mr. Waugh, go ahead.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

I've been asked by my staff if you would email documentation to MP staff at the same time as you email members who are on the committee distribution list. I think that's pretty straightforward, Mr. Clerk, but I'm asking if you can email the documentation to staff at the same time as to the MPs.

[The Clerk]

That is noted.

Thank you very much for that note, Mr. Waugh. Certainly, if any staff members of yours have any issues receiving documents, please let us know. Recently, we have had to make some updates to our distribution lists and we're working within a new context as well, so if there are any issues, please flag them to the committee email and we'll make sure we get documents out to all staff members.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Is there any further discussion on that?

It looks as though we've come to the end of this meeting. I want to thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for entrusting to me the position of chair. I have no doubt that we were sporadically riddled with mistakes on occasion, but please be patient with me. I say that to everyone I know, including family. Thank you so much for this first meeting.

To our table officers, thank you so much.

To our clerk, Tom, and to Gabrielle and Marion, thank you so much.

We'll see you at the next meeting. The meeting is adjourned.