Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was routine.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9 a.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
—yours would be distribution of documents in number four, and working meals would be number five. I'm not working off that document. We need to work off a common document, so let's decide which document you want to work from.
Mr. Lightbound.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
The one from the 41st Parliament is the one we're working on, I gather. These are the routine motions adopted by the committee in the previous session.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
That's the one I'm working from, but I will work from the one the committee wants me to use.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
Can we make sure that everybody at the committee has that?
Mr. Long, do you now have the same documents that your colleagues have?
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
Is everybody prepared to proceed with this document? Okay. I have agreement on that.
On article I, services of analysts from the Library of Parliament, could we have a mover of this routine motion?
Mr. Jeneroux.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
I so move.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
Would the analysts please join us at the table.
At this point in time, if the committee will indulge me, I would allow the analysts to introduce themselves. Then we'll move on with the next motions.
Go ahead.
February 4th, 2016 / 9 a.m.
Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau Committee Researcher
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My name is Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau. I've been an analyst for the committee here for five years.
I'm accompanied by my colleague, Chloé Forget, who will replace me or take over when I leave in a few weeks on parental leave. Normally, I would be accompanied by Michael Dewing, who is a very seasoned and competent analyst, who will be working on this committee as well.
We are at your service. It will be our pleasure to support your parliamentary work related to this committee.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
On behalf of the committee, congratulations on what's coming up in your very near future.
9 a.m.
Conservative
9 a.m.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
We'd like to propose an amendment to have a different article II regarding a subcommittee on agenda and procedure. We'd like to say: That a subcommittee on agenda and procedure be established and be composed of the chair, the two vice-chairs and a government member.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
We have a motion on the floor. Do you want to speak to it any further, Mr. Lightbound?
9 a.m.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
No. This is only to have a subcommittee that would look at the agenda and the various procedures.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
This is fairly routine. This is changing, because I believe the government side is changing a little bit of how committees operate. This is a departure from the last 20 years or so.
Are there any issues on this? Does anybody want to speak to this?
Mr. Jeneroux.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Joël Lightbound Liberal Louis-Hébert, QC
We're stating that a subcommittee on agenda and procedure be established and be composed of the chair, the two vice-chairs, and a government member. That's a total of four.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Rémi Massé Liberal Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Do we need to say it in French as well, or will the translation be done accordingly?
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
We have tremendous translation, both simultaneous and later on as they go through the documents to make sure that we get this right. I have every confidence that it will be done appropriately.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
Seeing no other people to discuss this, let's vote on the proposed amendment.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Article II has been adopted with the new text.
Article III is the distribution of documents. It reads:
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.
This is a very standard practice, and it needs to be defended at all times at this committee.
Mr. Bratina is moving this motion.
(Motion agreed to)
Next is working meals. Article IV reads:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee.
Are there any contentious issues there?
Could somebody move that, please? It's very important to me personally.
Mr. Long so moves.
(Motion agreed to)
Article V is about witnesses' expenses. It reads:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair including, if requested, reasonable childcare expenses be reimbursed.
This is moved by Mr. Blaikie.
(Motion agreed to)
Article VI is about staff at in camera meetings. It reads:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and in addition each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member in attendance.
It's not contentious.
Mr. Jeneroux so moves.
(Motion agreed to)
Article VII is about in camera meeting transcripts. It reads:
That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk's office for consultation by members of the Committee.
This is standard practice.
Mr. Blaikie so moves.
(Motion agreed to)
For notice of motions, it reads:
That notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages at least 48 hours prior to the start time of the meeting where the motion may be moved.
So moved by Mr. Blaikie.
Is there any discussion on this?
Mr. Bratina.
