Canadian Heritage Committee on May 21st, 2024

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

For context, again, we heard from a number of witnesses who talked about the importance of independence, transparency and accountability around the program and the way decisions are made. This would seek to do that.

Regardless of the government in place at the time, the program would be overseen in such a way that an independent organization would be overseeing it. The selection criteria of that independent body would be made public so there would be transparency. Also, the decision on the final selection of that independent organization would be tabled with the House of Commons, therefore allowing for accountability.

This allows for a clear look into how the program is run, or at least the decision-making process of each government in place.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I want clarification, please, Mrs. Thomas. You originally said, “be tabled in each House of Parliament”. Are you now saying it's the House of Commons only? Are you suggesting both houses, the Senate and the House of Commons?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It would be tabled in each House of Parliament.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Mr. McKinnon.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

I just want to clarify Mrs. Thomas's subamendment. She mentioned it modified the original amendment. The original amendment is gone; it has already been subamended. I wonder where it's going to fit into the amendment as already amended.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think she suggested adding to Mr. Noormohamed's amendment, after it says, “by an organization independent of the Government of Canada”, that “the program be overseen” and so on. I think that's where she wants it to be added.

Ms. Lattanzio.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I'm sorry. If I may....

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry, but Ms. Lattanzio has the floor.

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

Her mic is muted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Ms. Lattanzio, we cannot hear you. I'm sorry. Are you muted?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Geneviève Desjardins]

Ms. Lattanzio, can you try unplugging and re-plugging the headset?

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Madam Chair, while we're waiting, can I just clarify that this bill is Mr. Ron McKinnon's? It is not my bill. I just want to make sure that Mr. McKinnon—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry about that.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

That's okay, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I thought it was yours because you were so invested in it originally.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

He means to say that it's all my fault.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We're going to have a technician call you, Ms. Lattanzio.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Madam Chair....

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Noormohamed.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Madam Chair, just for clarification for the benefit of the committee, it's 6:10. I think 6:30 is the hard stop.

Could I ask my question?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Well, actually—

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Let me just ask you my question. What would—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We have resources until 6:50.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I don't know if others can stay.

The question is more about if we don't get this done. Is the plan for us, from a scheduling standpoint, to continue this at the next meeting?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We hope so. We've been trying to do this for a long time.