Evidence of meeting #1 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 43rd 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.
February 18th, 2020 / 9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Can you provide some clarity on which officials? Are we talking about deputy ministers or assistant deputy ministers? Who is going to be briefing us?
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
It would be at the assistant deputy minister and vice-president level.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Does that clarify that for you, Ms. Findlay? Would you proceed with it? Most of us are new to this committee and we need at least a base understanding of what has transpired previously and what the officials know. Then we can move forward.
Of course, I was going to suggest that the subcommittee meet as well so that.... I know the elections of the second and the third vice-chairs are not done, but we can invite the members of the different parties to at least be part of the steering committee and then, as motions come in, we can do further study. We can follow it step by step.
Ms. Findlay, do you have any objections to this motion?
Conservative
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
I'll withdraw my amendment. Thank you for clarifying who would be coming. I appreciate that.
(Amendment withdrawn)
(Motion agreed to)
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I just had two other routine motions that I was hoping to put forward. I wasn't sure if this was the time.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Thank you.
The second motion on the sheet that you're about to get is an amendment to the previous routine motion.
I'll proceed with the first one, regarding in camera proceedings. I move:
That any motion to go in camera should be debatable and amendable, and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes: (a) to discuss administrative matters of the committee, (b) a draft report, (c) briefings concerning national security;
And furthermore, minutes of in camera meetings should reflect on the results of all votes taken by the committee while in camera, including how each member voted when a recorded vote is requested.
Liberal
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Yes. Fundamentally, this is to make sure that we have the greatest amount of transparency when we're holding these meetings, that we're only going in camera when it is absolutely necessary, and that the public is invited into this space and is able to follow along in our discussions around the environment and climate change.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
You are aware that an in camera meeting is there because it's sensitive business. The public does not get invited. In camera meeting transcripts remain private.
To the people who need to ask questions, ask the questions and then I'll ask for a vote.
Yes, Mr. Longfield.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
To my understanding, in camera procedures and motions are covered in the 1,400-page manual we have on proceedings. We should stay with the proceedings as they're outlined to us as members.
Liberal
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Madam Chair, I'd like to add an amendment to that, if possible. I would add “to consider matters where privacy or the protection of personal information is required”, if that's amenable to my honourable colleague.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I am taking advice from a clerk that this is not a very.... He calls it a dangerous motion. It's not.... How can we put it gently? It's not something that has been done, and shouldn't be done. There's a reason. As Mr. Longfield pointed out, there are 1,400 pages of procedures. There is a reason why in camera should stay in camera and private.
I'll go first to Mr. Aitchison.
Conservative
Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
I would tend to agree with you, Madam Chair. The rules and procedures for going into camera are all very well laid out. This would strike me as not a routine procedure. You're fundamentally changing the way business is done.
At the very least, we certainly shouldn't consider this today but take it under advisement. I wouldn't want to be making changes to the standard procedures just on a whim.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
My understanding is that this has passed at a number of other committees, including PROC.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
I have to go with Mr. Aitchison, on taking it under advisement. We need to figure out the pros and cons of it. Every committee is the master of its own destiny. What PROC decided may be...but I will ask for a vote if there are no other discussions.
Yes, Ms. Collins.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
If the committee is wanting to think through this motion and look at the precedent set by a number of other committees, we could table it until our next meeting.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I just wanted to add that, for me, what is written here is limiting. We may potentially need to meet in camera, but be unable to do so because what is written here is too restrictive. That is sort of how I feel right now. So I am perfectly fine with taking some time to think about this.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Is everybody agreed?
(Motion allowed to stand)
It will be tabled while we reflect on it.
The next item I'd like to....
I'm sorry. Have I jumped the gun on you?