Information & Ethics Committee on Feb. 19th, 2020

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I think the intention of my colleague is fair. I think we have to trust each other that we're not going to abuse that. I'm fair with the language; I think there's an understanding here. We do not want to damage someone who has not done anything wrong but there may be information, so I think it's just fair. I'm willing to accept it. I don't think we can anticipate all the ways in which it will be used, and the language may get harder and harder, so I would agree with that.

Also, I certainly think the amendment on (a) is excellent, because that's how all committees should do witness selection. It should be in camera.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Thank you.

Again, we're just dealing with (d) at this point in time. Seeing no other speakers, I would ask, do we have final language with regard to (d)?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Madam Chair, in English, I just said:

“and protect the privacy of any individual”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

It's “to protect the privacy of an individual”.

Mr. Fergus, is that correct?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

What I wrote was “and protect the privacy of any individual”, but if I don't have the right wording, please, I'm open to suggestions. Do you want to maybe say “and protect...”?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

At another committee, one of the suggestions that was put forward, which I would present to this committee, is “to discuss matters involving an individual's private information”.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

That works for me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Excellent. I will call the question, then.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

At this point in time, then, I would move to (a). On the table, we have “to discuss administrative matters of the committee and witness selection”. Is there any discussion with regard to that amendment?

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Did we have an amendment for paragraph (a)?

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

That is what we are discussing.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

Right, I am sorry. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Would you like me to read it one more time?

[An hon. member]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Sure. It's “to discuss administrative matters of the committee and witness selection”. Are there any comments?

I will call the question.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

At this point in time, I will ask for any further discussion with regard to the motion as a whole with regard to in camera proceedings.

I will call the question. At this point in time, then, we are voting on the entire motion as a whole—the motion as amended. Just to be clear, we're talking about this entire section. We voted on (d). We voted on (a). Now I'm calling the vote with regard to the entire paragraph.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Thank you. We will move forward.

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Under the heading “Notice of Motions”, I move:

That a 48 hours notice, interpreted as two nights, shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that (1) the notice be filed with the Clerk of the committee no later than 4 pm from Monday to Friday; that (2) the motion be distributed to members in both official languages by the Clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; and that (3) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day, and that when the committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions may be moved.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

That's excellent. Thank you.

That brings us to completion then with—

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Excuse me, I have a last one.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Okay, my apologies.

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

This is the last page.

Under the heading “Independent Members—Clause by Clause”, I move:

That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting bills,

(a) the clerk of the committee shall, upon the committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee to invite those members to file with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the bill, which is the subject of the said order, which they would suggest that the committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-cause consideration of the bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given bill;

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the Chair shall allow a member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

I believe that now....

Mr. Kurek.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Chair, thank you very much.

I would move one further motion, if that would be all right, in line with the discussion surrounding accountability. The motion is that all meetings other than those deemed in camera will be televised or, if that is not possible, then webcast.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I love television.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

I'm assured there will be great viewership too.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rachael Thomas]

Based on what the clerk tells me, I would bring forward a consideration for the committee.

The way the motion reads right now is that if we do not have access to a room where we would be televised, or able to use webcast, then we cannot meet. That's just so we understand the limitations that are on this committee with that motion. One alternative to the motion, or one addition, could be that we could say “if possible”. If it's the will of the committee to keep the motion the way it is, by all means that's allowable. It's simply a point for consideration.

We'll hear Mr. Kurek, and then Mr. Angus.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Chair, I think it would be reasonable to have the language “where possible” but to expand that to “that the effort be made where possible".