Information & Ethics Committee on Dec. 11th, 2006

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

For witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Nothing is written in stone. We believe we'll be able to conclude. If not, we'll come back and make a further recommendation.

Are there any other questions or comments?

Who'd like to move paragraph 2?

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

I'll move it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Mr. Wallace will move it.

We need an amendment? What kind of amendment would you like? We will add January 30 to paragraph 2 or what?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Richard Rumas]

That Robert Marleau will appear tomorrow.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

All right.

That the committee invite Robert Marleau to a meeting scheduled for December 12, 2006.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Moved as amended.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

All in favour? Opposed, if any?

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

We have two minutes.

Madam Lavallée, do you have a motion that you wish to discuss in two minutes?

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Madam Lavallée said Wednesday, and I think we should leave it until Wednesday's meeting.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

No, let's talk about it now. There are only four days before December 15, as you know, Mr. Chair.

We passed with majority a motion calling on the Minister of Justice to introduce in the House of Commons strengthened and modernized access to information legislation no later than December 15.

I think it would be a good idea to give the minister a friendly reminder. We could ask him for a status report and when, by December 15, he plans to introduce the bill. Since the motion asked him to introduce it no later than December 15, he could introduce it tomorrow in the House.

I am asking that we pass this motion in order to be able to communicate with him as soon as possible so that he can tell us when, by Friday, he will introduce the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Mr. Peterson.

[Jim Peterson, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Her idea would be to have a meeting and he could deposit the new bill right here on the 15th.

[Some hon. members]

It's good idea.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Is there any other discussion?

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

That would be perfect, but not the 15th because we will not be here, Mr. Peterson.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Mr. Dhaliwal.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Chair, if Madam Lavallée is going to bring in the motion, I think we should have it as the very first thing on the next meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Mr. Dhaliwal, we have invited--and the committee has agreed to this--these witnesses, and in courtesy to them we'll put the motion as item number two, after we have heard from our witnesses. Otherwise we may end up filibustering, possibly—I'm not suggesting that—and end up having our witnesses, who may have come from some distance, sitting there listening to a discussion for two hours. I think it's more productive if we have our witnesses first, and then if there's time remaining, we'll discuss the motion of Madam Lavallée.

Mr. Wallace.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

I'm somewhat unclear. And I'm not trying to fill in time. I don't mind going to a vote. If this gets passed today.... I think she's putting it forward. Am I not correct?

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

Yes, that's correct.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Then we will still hear our witnesses before we get the minister back here to deal with this particular item?

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

No. The motion is simply for the chair to write to the minister and ask for a progress report on what's happened.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

So it's just writing a letter.

[The Chair, Liberal, Tom Wappel]

It's just writing a letter.