Evidence of meeting #1 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
Okay.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
The next motion is on working meals: that the committee hereby authorize the clerk of the committee, in consultation with the chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the committee budget.
In the fall we will have committee meetings scheduled from eleven o'clock to one, so they will be basically working meetings. We'll have lunch provided, and that's what this motion is about.
Is there any discussion on this motion? Everybody wants to have lunch?
(Motion agreed to)
Next is on witnesses' expenses: that, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to the witnesses, not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that in exceptional circumstances payment for more representatives may be made at the discretion of the chair.
I expect we will use teleconferencing and video conferencing as much as possible to keep expenses down.
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
It's at the discretion of the chair, but I commit to making sure we'll do it as economically as possible.
(Motion agreed to)
Next is on notice of motions: that 48 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee; that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members in both official languages; and that completed motions that are received by close of business shall be distributed to members the same day.
I think what's also important is that we clarify what is meant by 48 hours, because 48 hours doesn't necessarily mean 48 hours. In O'Brien and Bosc, it's defined as two sleeps. To be practical, it is suggested that it be by four o'clock and then two sleeps. That allows adequate time for translation and for distribution of the documents. It's just a clarification.
Is that acceptable to the mover?
11:20 a.m.
An hon. member
Yes.
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC
It seems to me 48 hours is standard. The “two sleeps” concept I haven't heard spelled out that way before, and it's perhaps helpful for everybody to have that understanding, so I appreciate your mentioning it.
June 21st, 2011 / 11:20 a.m.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
At the other committee I'm on, that same clause has another piece in it about 4 p.m. Let's say a motion is put forward on Friday night at 6 o'clock, then 48 hours only takes us to Sunday evening. We might want to put “wherever possible by 4 p.m. of the business day”.
It says “Motions that are received by close of business (4 p.m.) shall be distributed the same day”. That's slightly different. I'm just concerned about a Friday evening situation.
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
The Friday evening would be Friday by 4 o'clock, and then that would give you the two sleeps, and actually more.
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
11:25 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you.
I have always understood, and my understanding may be faulty, that a substantive motion that arises from business under consideration does not require notice. I was thinking that I should be happy with the wording that we have before us. It just talks about substantive motions. I notice that the principal routine motions distributed by the clerk have a specific exception that says “unless the substantive motion relates directly to the business then under consideration”, whereas the motion that we're considering doesn't have that exception.
However we proceed, I want to be absolutely clear about whether when we are considering an item and someone wants to submit a motion to amend, even if it's substantive, if it arises out of the discussion we don't have to stop everything and give 48 hours' notice. I'm not sure if that requires the kind of exception that's in the draft the clerk gave out. I don't think it necessarily does, as long as it's on the record that motions that arise in the course of considering a matter, even if they're substantive, don't require notice.
Did I say that clearly enough?
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
You did, Mr. Woodworth, and my understanding is that if we're discussing issues related to SARA and there is a motion on SARA, if it is relevant to the discussion, even if it is substantive, it would still be accepted.
Ms. Leslie.
11:25 a.m.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
I just wanted to note that the House deadline for Fridays is 2 p.m., I believe.
11:25 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
I want to make it practical for the clerk. Maybe the clerk could speak to this.
11:25 a.m.
The Clerk
It is 2 p.m., but the rest of the week it's 6 p.m. We want to avoid having the 6 p.m. during the week because we don't work until 8 p.m., so 4 p.m. would be for all week. I don't mind if it's 4 p.m. on Friday.