Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
My question is for you, Madam Clerk.
Is it usual for the person making the motions to read them? Does the chair have to read them or can either one of them do it?
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
We can do it either way. If it is the wish of Ms. Brière, then she is welcome to read each motion.
I give you the floor.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
So the motion reads as follows:
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.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
I will call the question for the committee to vote.
(Motion agreed to)
Then I'll invite the analysts to come to the table.
3:50 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
3:50 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Can I interrupt on a point of personal privilege?
This is the best team in Parliament. This team is extraordinary. I am very honoured that they chose to come back to our little abode. You will be very impressed with their work.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
A point of order, Madam Clerk.
I would like to get to know this dynamite team better. Can you introduce them to us?
3:50 p.m.
Alexandra Savoie Committee Researcher
Hi everyone. My name is Alexandra Savoie. I've been an analyst at the Library of Parliament since January 2018 and with this committee since January 2018.
I am a lawyer by training. In a previous life, I worked in the private sector. I also articled at the Supreme Court and I have worked in not-for-profit organizations.
It will be a pleasure for me to help you during this session.
3:55 p.m.
Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau Committee Researcher
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Angus; they are much appreciated.
My name is Maxime-Olivier Thibodeau. I have been an analyst at the Library of Parliament for almost 10 years. For almost all that time, I have worked with this committee. Generally, I should be able to grasp and understand the issues being dealt with, at least I hope so. I am here of my own free will. I assure you that it is not a punishment. These are subjects that get me excited.
It will be a pleasure for me to continue working with this committee. I see it as a privilege. If you wish, we could—later, or now, if you prefer—explain more about our role in supporting your work.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
Would you be able to provide us with a brief overview of the work you will do for this committee?
3:55 p.m.
Committee Researcher
Thank you, Madam Chair. I will continue in French.
For the benefit of new members and those who have not sat on this committee for many years, like Mr. Gourde and Mr. Angus, here is what we do.
We provide you with parliamentary information and research services so that you have all the information you need to do your work. For this committee in particular, we prepare briefing notes that explain for you the issues discussed at each meeting, we introduce the witnesses you invite, and we suggest questions you may wish to ask them.
If appropriate, we provide background documents to give you more detailed and in-depth information on a particular subject, depending on the study on your agenda. If you wish, we can also help you prepare your work by suggesting topics for study, by giving you all the information you need and by doing all the research you require to plan your work. We can plan as you wish, days, months, or even years in advance. You lead, we follow.
Feel free to call on us, either for committee work or individually and in confidence. We are at your service.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
I move:
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.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “Reduced Quorum”, I move:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government, but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “Questioning of Witnesses”, I move:
That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: Round 1:
Conservative Party,
Liberal Party,
Bloc Québécois,
New Democratic Party.
For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows:
Conservative Party, five (5) minutes,
Liberal Party, five (5) minutes,
Conservative Party, five (5) minutes,
Liberal Party, five (5) minutes,
Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes,
New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes,
(Motion agreed to)
4 p.m.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Under the heading “Documents Distribution”, I move:
The Clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that the witnesses be advised accordingly.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “Working Meals”, I move:
That the Clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “Witnesses' Expenses”, I move:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “Staff at in camera Meetings”, I move:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.
(Motion agreed to)
Under the heading “In camera Meetings Transcripts”, I move:
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 or by their staff.
(Motion agreed to)
4 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I'm sorry to interrupt such a smooth-moving machine. I have a motion that I wanted to bring in terms of in camera meetings. We could do it now because we're discussing in camera meetings, or we could do it at the end. How would you like to proceed, Madam Chair?
4 p.m.
Conservative
February 19th, 2020 / 4 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I bring this forward while we're on in camera proceedings. I know we're going to get along very well in this committee and we're going to respect each other, but I have seen in the past abuses of in camera, where, as you've said, the importance of democracy is sometimes put under a cone of silence. I just thought we should have some clear rules about how we go in camera and what is admissible.
I move:
That any motion to go in camera should be debatable and amendable, and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes:
(a) to discuss administrative matters of the committee
(b) a draft report
(c) briefings concerning national security;
And furthermore, minutes of in camera meetings should reflect on the results of all votes taken by the committee while in camera, with the exception of votes regarding the consideration of draft reports—
because that would not be acceptable
—including how each member voted when a recorded vote is requested.
4 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
There are copies of the one amendment, which I think the clerk clarified has all but the exception of votes on a draft report.
4 p.m.
Han Dong Don Valley North, Lib.
Can we get a quick five-minute recess so that we can take a look at it and then talk to colleagues about it?
4 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
I'm happy to suspend for five minutes. Then I'll call us back to the table.