Agreed.
Evidence of meeting #6 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 important.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #6 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 important.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
2:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
2:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
With that, ladies and gentlemen, we draw to a conclusion. The bill has passed committee unamended and it's on its way back to the House of Commons.
I want to thank our department officials. I hope we didn't ruin your Friday afternoon. Nevertheless, thank you for joining us, as we had quite a few of you here. Thank you for all the support.
2:55 p.m.
Marie-Lise Julien Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Department of Canadian Heritage
It was an easy job. Thank you.
2:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Treasury Board Secretariat
We appreciate being included. Thank you.
2:55 p.m.
Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Department of Canadian Heritage
Yes, thank you so much.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Thank you, on a Friday afternoon.
Colleagues, that draws this meeting to a close. We will see you on Monday, when we pick up—
2:55 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Chair, a point of order. If I may, I would like to discuss a point before the meeting adjourns.
In the first round of questions to the witnesses, we had already exceeded the allotted time, and you gave a round of questions to Ms. Bessette. I have nothing against the principle, but the fact that we had already exceeded the time allotted for the first portion of the questioning made it more appropriate to interrupt that and move on to the second hour and the second group of witnesses.
I would like to discuss with you the fact that you granted the privilege to one of the committee members to do his portion of the questioning of witnesses when we had already exceeded the time allotted, but not to other members of the committee. In this instance, Ms. McPherson and I were unable to take advantage of the second round.
This is normal, when we stick to the allotted time, but if we go over, it should be fair and equitable for everyone.
2:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Thank you, Mr. Champoux.
You're talking about the first round and the fact that we went to two questions prior, which did not involve the other parties, such as your party, as well as Ms. McPherson's. I'm assuming that's what you were saying.
3 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Unfortunately, I have to stick to the original motions that we passed in the very first meeting that we had, which establish the order in which we do this. I try to be as fair as I can. There is no doubt that I would like to pass on another few minutes. I was pushing up against a clock. As I said, we had to get to our other two witnesses.
I will, however, be cognizant of what you just pointed out to allow equal representation. If you'll notice, I also asked for Mr. Manly, who hadn't said anything at that point. Even though they're not recognized at the committee, they do have a role to play in a situation like this. That is in our standing orders as well.
3 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Let me interrupt you, Mr. Chair. I just want to make sure we understand each other.
I'm talking about the timeframe that we were allotted for the first portion of the witnesses and that we had exceeded at the end of Mr. Shields's time. Mr. Shields had started his round of questioning, and we were already within the time. We had completed the time allotted for the first witness by the time the second hour of the hearing was starting.
If you give time to one party, it's important to do so equally and according to the normal distribution. I know that you pay particular attention to the distribution and fairness of speaking time. But as we are going to be dealing with some very important issues in the coming weeks, I want to make sure that we all have the opportunity to take advantage of the time we are allotted to speak.
3 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
I agree. I will look into that. I just wanted to outline what I was going through at the time to try to put fairness into play vis-à-vis running up against a clock that was diminishing very quickly.
What I would suggest to you, though—and I take your suggestion sincerely—is that if that happens again, chances are it is unwittingly. Perhaps you could raise a point of order at that point when it does happen, and I will try to compensate at that point. Would that be fair to say?
3 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
I didn't dare do it in front of the witnesses earlier, but I appreciate it, and I'll make a note of it for next time.
3 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Thank you very much.
Okay, everyone, are there any more questions or comments? I don't see any hands raised.
On that note, have a good weekend, everyone.