Electoral Reform Committee on June 21st, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, they do.

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON]

It's just good for us to be on our guard.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That's a good point.

Mr. Cullen is next.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Very briefly, I think the motion has to be maintained, simply because if we were to distribute in one language, it would put certain committee members at a disadvantage if others were able to refer to it in their maternal language while others simply couldn't make their way through it.

My experience has been very similar to the chair's in that the witness is always able to present. I take Mr. Reid's advice that we give them as much warning as possible. Some witnesses just don't heed the advice. When they come in, their documents aren't ready on time or they show up the same morning. It happens. We can get them translated afterwards, but I think all committee members, regardless of language, should be on the same footing as we hear testimony at the time.

I'm sure the clerks will give lots of notice to our witnesses, but I've seen too many times in the past that witnesses simply don't abide by our advice. I'm not suggesting that was the case with you, Scott. I'm sure that's not what happened. I just think we have to be able to hear the witnesses on an equal basis and then move on and get the documents later, as they're translated.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Ms. May.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I think particularly in the case of this committee, I support the idea that we ensure that all material for this committee be available in both official languages.

However, we are likely to hear from witnesses whose official language is neither English nor French. We're likely to hear from German parliamentarians and we're likely to seek advice from parliamentarians who are Swedish or Danish.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Scottish.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Nathan suggests Scottish, but we can have translators available.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

The main thing is that as we accept evidence, the committee have the capacity to translate key information so that it's available in English and French if the witnesses don't have the wherewithal themselves to do so.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I'm told we have interpreters for languages other than French and English. That's a good point, because we're indeed studying electoral systems from all over the world.

I assume this motion meets with everyone's approval.

(Motion agreed to)

Does anyone have a motion on working meals?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

I move:

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

Hopefully there's no disagreement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

There doesn't seem to be. I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that there is consensus around this motion.

(Motion agreed to)

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Can this be the first committee to look for local food that is sustainable and ethical? I don't think that's likely, but I thought I'd make a bid.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Well, it's out there, and I'm sure the House of Commons administration will take that into account.

Can we move on to witnesses' expenses?

[Matt DeCourcey, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Concerning witnesses' expenses, I move:

That, if requested, reasonable travel and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Does anyone have a motion on staff at in camera meetings?

Go ahead, Ms. Romanado.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I move the following:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and that each party represented on the Committee also be permitted to have one staff person from its Whip’s or House Leader’s office present.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Are there any comments?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Aldag, go ahead.

[John Aldag, Liberal, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Moving to in camera meeting transcripts, I move:

That the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept by the Clerk of the Committee for consultation by members of the Committee in the Clerk's office.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That's pretty standard.

Go ahead, Ms. Sahota, on notice of motions.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

In reference to notice of motions, I move:

That 48 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee by 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and before 2:00 p.m. on Friday and distributed to members in both official languages; and that when the Committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions be moved.

I've included a little bit of an addition to this motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay. Thank you.

Are there any comments? Everyone is fine with the addition as well, about motions during travel times? Mr. Cullen, are you in agreement? I see you are.

(Motion agreed to)

Now we go to a motion on time allocation.

We will go to Mr. Cullen or Ms. May.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I defer to Mr. Cullen. I think we're speaking to the same point now.