Evidence of meeting #2 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 commissioner.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Raj Saini Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
The only thing is that November 10 is not a sitting week. I would maybe push it to November 20 or something.
Liberal
Raj Saini Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
If that's amenable. I think it's a good idea, Ms. Collins.
Just knowing how schedules are, knowing my own schedule, it's tricky to get two people who are that busy in one place. I agree with what you're trying to do, but I think we should give them some flexibility, as opposed to getting a "no" back. I think November 20 would give them enough time to coordinate their schedules at their earliest convenience, but no later than November 20.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Saini said exactly what I wanted to say. I would only add that by putting the deadline of November 20, we would still work to try to have the Auditor General as well as the commissioner and minister come as soon as possible. So there is still a chance they would come the week of the 2nd, but at least we'd give ourselves the flexibility to be able to manoeuvre.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I think that we should put a date on the schedule. For more flexibility, we need a larger window, but we must also set limits. I think that my colleague Ms. Collins wants this meeting to take place. We wouldn't want it to fall through the cracks.
I agree with my colleague Mr. Schiefke's suggestion to put the deadline of November 20. It's a good compromise. The witnesses will have the chance to change their schedule in order to come and speak to us.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I want to thank Mr. Saini for flagging that the week of the 9th is a constituency week, and so I'm happy to put it on November 20 at the latest and hope we get to it as soon as possible.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Now can somebody please read the amendment for the record and then I'll take a vote on it and then I'll take the vote on the amended motion.
Mr. Schiefke or Mr. Jeneroux, who wants to go?
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
I was giving it to you because I didn't have it written down but I'll do my best.
Madam Chair, it reads:
That the committee invite the Auditor General of Canada and the Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development to provide a briefing on the office, the role and the appointment of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development for the briefing and that the clerk ask the witnesses to provide written material in both official languages in advance to the meeting and that the Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner and the Auditor General appear no later than November 20th, 2020.
The Clerk
Thank you, I think I missed the part where they're given five minutes each. Does the committee still want to have that in the motion or not?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
The committee does not want to put a timeline to it, but you know that we did adopt those routine motions and so when you communicate with them, you will tell them that their opening remarks are five minutes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Madam Collins, do you have something to add before I take the vote on the motion as amended?
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I'm wondering if we could try to see if there's unanimous consent to pass it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Is there unanimous consent to pass it?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Good, that's done. Thank you.
Yes, Mr. Jeneroux. Oh, I'm sorry. You raised your hand for unanimous consent.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
No, I was raising my hand to move to.... We just voted on our motion. It's to get the Conservative motion on the table. Are you ready?
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
All credit is due to my colleague Mr. Albas. He crafted this motion, but I get it in my name.
