Evidence of meeting #1 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
We've received the motions via email from the clerk's office, so I've just pulled them up on my screen and I'm ready to start reading through them if people want to follow along.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Sure. Everybody has received the routine motions, I presume, and has them on their screen or electronically.
Is there a problem, Ms. Pauzé?
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I just want to be sure that I understand. We will examine and adopt the motions one by one, is that right?
October 8th, 2020 / 11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
Chair, I see that these motions were adopted on February 18, which was about a decade ago—but no, it was in 2020, before we were hit by the virus.
First of all, on the analyst services, it states:
That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Is everybody in agreement?
(Motion agreed to)
Okay. Please continue, Mr. Longfield.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
On the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, it states:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members; the chair, one member from each party; and that the subcommittee work in the spirit of collaboration.
Conservative
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you.
I would actually like to move a motion that we delete this. I'd be happy to make that motion and then make my case to members after, if you deem that appropriate.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Why don't you make your case now, before I take a vote? You're asking for the elimination of the steering committee.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Yes, I move a motion to eliminate the steering committee.
Conservative
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
First of all, congratulations to you for being nominated. I look forward to working with you and other members. In the spirit of that, I'd like to raise that oftentimes these extra subcommittees or steering committees do take away time from the work of the committee. I find that if we have the right people working around a table, especially with everyone present, we can actually come up with agreements and then everyone else can also have their say.
It is my understanding that in the previous iteration of this committee, the steering committee was not always seen as being the most effective means. Since 2011, I have oftentimes found that as a parliamentary practice if we try to work with people at the same table, everyone feels respected and we get a lot more done. So I would just move that motion. We as a committee could always add it in. We are masters of our destiny, but I just think that if we want to do a study, or study the estimates, we shouldn't schedule another meeting in our busy lives when we can take care of that business here.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
Yes. Just to clarify, I put my hand up in the participant screen, as well as the visual screen. Which one would you prefer?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
You can put your hand up, because I can see you. If there are too many people, I would say use the chat function.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
That's great. Thank you.
There is a long-standing process of having a subcommittee that we can refer to. Also, when we have many, many motions to deal with, having a separate discussion outside of committee time to try to establish some preliminary priorities that we as a committee could then approve is useful. Some of those discussions can take a while, so I think having a vehicle there that we can refer to is important.
We may or may not choose to use it all the time, but to have it there, I think, is important for the committee structure.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Who is next? I saw Yvan Baker first, then Madame Pauzé and then Mr. Schiefke.