Evidence of meeting #1 for Electoral Reform in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Danielle Widmer

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

A motion first has to be moved that we could always amend later.

Do we have unanimous consent for Ms. Romanado to withdraw her motion?

2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

(Motion withdrawn)

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

We now need another motion.

2:55 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I don't know whether there is a conflict, but—

The recommendation is to have the subcommittee at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, with the full committee...?

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

That would be on Tuesday afternoon from one to four o'clock, for briefings from the analysts and....

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I hate making committee schedules on the go, but we're going to need to have some flexibility if we're hoping to get something started.

Is Tuesday out completely for...? Yes. Okay, then is it Wednesday morning?

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It's Wednesday morning for the briefing from the analysts...?

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Obama arrives in the afternoon at three or four o'clock, I believe.

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Yes, that's in the afternoon.

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Right. Then can we begin at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning and go for three hours?

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Probably we could do nine o'clock.

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

We'd begin at nine o'clock Wednesday morning and go for three hours?

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Yes, and then on Thursday morning we'd have Mr. Mayrand and Mr. Kingsley...?

3 p.m.

An hon. member

No.

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

That doesn't work for you?

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

It's not working for Madam May.

3 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Look, it's critical that the electoral reform committee get started. I just need to be able to let the folks in my riding know that I won't be at the Canada Day opening ceremonies on Thursday evening. They'll understand. It's just what it is.

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay. Mr. Cullen, do you have a motion to present to us?

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Yes, Mr. Chair: that the steering committee meet Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock and that the full committee meet Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock for a three-hour session, or that the full committee meet at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning for a three-hour session...? Going once....

That's it. Do you want to do a second one?

3 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON

I thought that included.... In all fairness, the drafting was occurring somewhere other than with you, Mr. Cullen, but I thought the suggestion was that the Wednesday meeting be with our analysts.

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Yes, so in that three-hour meeting, why not have the first 90 minutes with analysts and the second 90 minutes with Mr. Mayrand and Mr. Kingsley?

3 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON

I object to that part.

3 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Oh. Is it the construction or the witnesses?

3 p.m.

Conservative

Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON

It's to having those witnesses at that time.