Environment Committee on Nov. 15th, 2007

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I don't think any objective observer would look at this committee today and accuse the opposition of stalling things.

With all due respect to you, sir, I have confidence that you will conduct the meetings of this whole committee on a fair basis. Having said that, I'm also very mindful of the fact that you sit on the Conservative side of the House. You don't absent yourself from debate in the House of Commons. Clearly you can speak on behalf of your party in the House and you can do so in subcommittee; you're there for that purpose. I have confidence you will do that effectively, and I hope the filibuster is now over.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments?

Go ahead, Mr. Harvey.

[Luc Harvey, Conservative, Louis-Hébert, QC]

I have a hard time grasping that the members opposite are saying that the Conservative Party is filibustering, when it is only trying to have a voice on the steering committee. As a parliamentarian, I am at a loss to justify the fact that the Conservative Party not try to have a voice on the committee. Is the chair entitled to vote? Normally, chairs do not have the right to vote, unless there is a tie. Stop trying to convince me otherwise. The truth is that you are trying to prevent the Conservative Party, the party in power and in government, from having a voice on the committee. That is unacceptable.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Always remember that the final voice is this entire committee. Let's always remember that. That steering committee is not going to make decisions for this committee. Just make sure that's extremely clear.

Do you have a comment, Mr. Warawa?

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

I'm fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

The motion is as follows:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

Do you have a question, Mr. Warawa?

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

I would like one clarification.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Yes.

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

You have called for the question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

This is for clarification.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

Could I have clarification? The definition of the duties of the chair is...?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

I think I've explained that the chair will chair these meetings to make recommendations to the main committee.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

I would hope that the votes will be few and far between, because they can be overthrown here anyway. The decisions will be made by the full committee. That's how I see it as chair.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Can we talk about working meals?

We will go in order, but I want to talk about working meals. If the clerk and I decide that we're having a meeting over a lunch hour, is anybody opposed to our ordering lunch? Those in favour?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Next is witness expenses. We're on a roll here.

The motion reads as follows:

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

“Staff at in camera meetings”:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Mr. McGuinty.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'd just like to perhaps expand this slightly so that each party is then able to bring in one House representative per party so that we can get the full staff complement we all need here—all four parties.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Can I just help a bit?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Yes, Mr. Regan.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I think what we're looking for is to say that each party should be permitted to have one staff member from either their House leader, their whip, or their research bureau, in other words, from their House leadership.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

So you're still talking about one member for Mr. Regan.

[John Godfrey, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Sorry, no, one staff per member.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Yes, one for Mr. McGuinty, one for Mr. Godfrey.