Evidence of meeting #1 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I just would like to flag that, once again, it would be important to have a member from each recognized party be part of the subcommittee. I did want to put on the record that this would be my preference.
Liberal
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
For all recognized parties to have a member in one of the vice-chair positions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
If I'm not mistaken, that usually has been the composition or at least it has been for the past little while.
Tom, I believe that is the case. Is it?
The Clerk
Thank you, sir.
The point of clarification here is that, indeed, all recognized parties, depending on the routine motions that are adopted, could very well be represented on the subcommittee. This is more a question of the vice-chair titles—
The Clerk
—so they're two different topics. Ms. McPherson is noting that there is a suggestion or a desire to have a third vice-chair position for the committee, and we can certainly make note of that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Ms. McPherson, on a personal level, I'm glad you brought that up. I think all parties should be represented on the subcommittee despite shared titles and so on and so forth. Thank you for doing that.
Okay, everyone, I have just a few things—
The Clerk
Sorry to interrupt, sir. I don't believe I was complete in the election of the second vice-chair, so if you'll allow me, sir, I'll complete that process.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Again, I would never want to usurp democracy by any stretch of the imagination, Tom. Please go ahead.
The Clerk
Thank you very much, sir.
I believe we were at the point where I was acknowledging that based on the House order of September 23, the committee must in this current context proceed to a recorded division unless there's unanimous consent to elect Mr. Champoux as second vice-chair. Do I have unanimous consent?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Mr. Champoux duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
With that, I will gratefully hand the microphone back to the chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Nice job, Tom. That was excellent.
Folks, before I get into the routine motions, please indulge me for just a moment. I think this is something that has been mentioned at other committees. It certainly needs to be mentioned at ours.
This is our new virtual reality, and I just want to make a few notes here, if I may, about the nature of what we're doing here.
If you have a motion to move, please unmute yourself and state that you would like to move a motion. You may also raise a point of order at any time during the meeting by unmuting yourself and stating that you have a point of order. Once a motion is moved or a point of order is raised, please use the “raise hand” function to indicate that you wish to be included on the speakers list. You may do so by clicking on “participants” at the bottom of your screen. This will provide you with a list of all participants in the meeting at the right-hand side of the screen. At the bottom of that list, you will see the option “raise hand”.
Finally, the motion adopted by the House on September 23 provides that “except for those decided unanimously or 'on division', all questions shall be decided by a recorded vote”. Therefore, once a motion or an amendment is moved and there is no more debate, I will ask if there are any objections. If you object, please unmute and say so. I will then ask the clerk to proceed with a recorded vote. For unanimous consent, I'll be looking for those who want to dissent, more than for those who consent, as that will give me a clear indication in our virtual reality.
That being said, let's go through our routine motions.
I recognize Mr. Louis.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
My hand was excitedly up. I would like to adopt the routine motions that were passed in the last session, but before I do that I want to congratulate you and the vice-chairs and everybody for being on this important committee. It's an honour to serve, so thank you.
I would like to read them and then we can take it from there.
On analyst services, I move:
That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
On the subcommittee on agenda and procedure, I move:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five members—
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I would recommend that we do the motions one at a time, so that if anybody has amendments, we stop after the first one, do the amendments, pass it and go to the second one.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Mr. Louis, if I may, can we start from the top again? When you've finished one section, such as analyst services, we'll go to possible debate and a vote.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
That's understood. Thanks for the clarity.
On analyst services, I move:
That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Is there any discussion on that matter?
(Motion agreed to)
I would like to ask Gabrielle and Marion to please join us.
Mr. Louis.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
On the subcommittee on agenda and procedure, I move:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five members; the Chair, one member from each party; and that the subcommittee work in the spirit of collaboration.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Is there any discussion, even though we already had one?
Ms. McPherson.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I bet you can guess what my discussion is about, so forgive me. I'm new to this, as you all know, and this is only the very beginning of this. I would just like to change the “one member from each party” to “one member from each recognized party”, please.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Okay, so you want to amend it by adding the word “each” in front of “party”.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
No, I want to amend it from “one member from each party” to “one member from each recognized party”.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Sorry, that's what I meant. We all make mistakes.
It's “recognized party”. Is there any discussion?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Mr. Louis.
October 14th, 2020 / 4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
On meeting without a quorum, I move “That the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including two members of the opposition and two members of the government; and that when travelling outside the Parliamentary Precinct, the meeting begin after 15 minutes, regardless of members present.”