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.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
Yes, that's right. We haven't worked out what our rotation is in terms of questions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Right. They can, I'm sure, adjust by a half an hour or an hour. That's not going to be a problem.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
That's your motion, Mr. Cullen, and I don't see a real desire to engage in debate on this. I will call the vote.
(Motion agreed to)
We'll be meeting as a steering committee on Tuesday, and then Wednesday at the same time, at 10 a.m. It will be the analysts, and we may jig that a bit, followed by the committees directorate on the use of technology. I think we have a plan.
Go ahead, Ms. May.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
I hate to trespass on the question of whether one can presume from our plans for Tuesday and Wednesday that we're not booking a Thursday meeting, or is that still a possibility?
Liberal
Liberal
Matt DeCourcey Liberal Fredericton, NB
I think Ms. May's argument to get home for Canada Day is a good one. I think everyone could benefit from that, including our constituents. I have faith that the subcommittee will find a suitable date soon after Canada Day for us to get back and get to work.
I believe that's what we voted for.
Green
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
The multitudes to whom I will be serving hamburgers Thursday evening thank you.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Just to add to that piece, we discussed having witnesses in, but I don't know if it was passed in the motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
That's a separate motion. Why don't we do that as a separate motion?
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Yes. Since Friday is a holiday, we should look to have all of our witnesses in by end of day Thursday so that when the subcommittee comes together Tuesday morning, we'll have something to work on with the analysts. Does that seem fair?
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
This is another point of order. As worded by Mr. Cullen, it's all of our witnesses, but as paraphrased by the chair, it's our preliminary list of witnesses. I would like to confirm—
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
It's not exhaustive. Okay. That's critical. As long as that's the case, we'll be happy.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Mr. Cullen, is this the motion you are moving? Can we vote?
Would all in favour of Mr. Cullen's motion raise their hand?
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It's the one for getting your preliminary list of witnesses in for the 22nd. Is that the 22nd or is it the 23rd?
It is in fact Thursday, June 23.
Does anyone have any other motions to move?
Ms. Romanado, go ahead.
Liberal
Sherry Romanado Liberal Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC
I'm not sure if it's a motion or just a suggestion, but for the assistance of the steering committee, folks could also submit any preference in terms of sitting over the summer. Whether it be two days a week for the rest of the summer or a block of time, it would be helpful for the steering committee to have that information when we're planning what we're going to do. I would recommend that information also be submitted by end of day Thursday.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Perfect. I don't think we need a motion for that.
Mr. Thériault, the floor is yours.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Chair, I have a series of questions to ask, and I am not sure whether I have to submit them to the steering committee.
One of those questions has to do with the overall budget provided for the committee. I assume a budget will be provided and, in the interest of transparency, it would be a good idea for everyone to know what it is.
There was talk about holding consultations in ridings. The government's motion provides a timeframe for that. When will we discuss the way we will proceed? We are talking about what we will do, but if 338 members have to hold consultations, we will have to ensure that the process is fair and serious.
What will be the budget allocated to the members for that purpose? Will a single consultation session be considered sufficient? Will the steering committee be making that decision? If so, the information will have to be sent to the members quickly to give them an opportunity to get organized. Time is going by pretty quickly. August will bring a new school year and other considerations.
I have many questions to ask, but I guess I can keep them for the steering committee's meeting.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
As for the budget, we have $300,000.
Concerning the consultation process, we could discuss it in the detail. That will give us an opportunity to provide the members with a procedure to follow when they hold consultations with their constituents. I think those aspects could be discussed at the steering committee's meetings.