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.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Miriam Burke
Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.
I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions and cannot entertain points of order or participate in debate.
We can now proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the official opposition.
I'm ready to receive motions for the chair.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
I'd like to nominate Rachael Harder for chair.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Are there further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Ms. Harder duly elected chair of the committee.
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
I invite you to take the chair.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair (Ms. Rachael Harder (Lethbridge, CPC)) Conservative Rachael Thomas
Hello, honourable colleagues. Welcome. Thank you for your vote of confidence and for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It's something I very much look forward to doing.
I've given some thought to this role and what I would envision this looking like going forward. I recognize, of course, that we represent different parties, different viewpoints. Of course, there will be times when we disagree, but my hope is that there will be many times when we are able to work collaboratively on projects that will advance our parliamentary system and uphold democracy.
There are a few values that I would invite you to help me, as chair, uphold. I would love for this to be a place of openness, a place where there is diversity of thought and belief, and where that is mutually respected. I would love for this to be a place where we are able to communicate with one another in a courteous manner. Around this table that means going through the chair, I would ask respectfully. Outside of this table, I encourage you to engage in rich dialogue with one another and to do so in a capacity that would help protect democracy.
As you're aware, at this table, it is our responsibility to bring about a measure of accountability to all those in public office. Within that, there is a fair bit of non-partisanship. There are four commissioners we will hopefully have the opportunity to hear from at different points in time, or perhaps all at once, depending on the will of this committee. There will be numerous other studies brought forward, including things having to do with lobbying, ethics, privacy or what have you. We get to decide. Again, it would be my hope that in many of these directions we are able to come together collaboratively. Where that is not possible, it would be my hope that we are at least respectful toward one another.
It is with anticipation that I take on this role. I am looking forward to doing my best to facilitate a culture of deep honour and respect around this table. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.
With that, I will move to more of the routine things we need to get done today. The first is that, if the committee is in agreement, I would invite the clerk to proceed with the election of the vice-chairs.
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the government party.
I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.
3:45 p.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved that Brenda Shanahan be elected as first vice-chair.
Are there any further motions?
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
This isn't for this position; it's for the position of second vice-chair, right?
3:45 p.m.
The Clerk
No. We are dealing with this position.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
I declare the motion carried and Mrs. Shanahan duly elected as first vice-chair of the committee.
(Motion agreed to)
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition.
February 19th, 2020 / 3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Levitt Liberal York Centre, ON
I have a point of order. I'm aware that currently before PROC, the possibility of having an additional vice-chair is being examined. I understand also that it's going to the Board of Internal Economy, I think, tomorrow.
Would it be possible, if there's no opposition, to just postpone the election the of the second vice-chair until the next meeting so that PROC and the Board of Internal Economy can at least hear this? It shouldn't create any conflict in what the final result might be, but it might allow us to add an additional member as well, if that's okay, if it's not seen as being offside with anyone.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
I would ask for a show of hands at this point in time, unless there is further discussion from any sides.
3:45 p.m.
Bloc
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I have a question, Madam Chair.
What are the issues if we do not make a decision today and we defer it to the next meeting?
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
It's my understanding that there is no problem. It just means that at a future meeting—if time permits, the next meeting, as long as there's a decision that has been made—we can discuss our second vice-chair and take a vote at that point in time.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
In response to my colleague and to my other colleagues. I'm very interested in having the vote, but I think I'll accept the motion and my request will be to have the vote at the next meeting. Once this has been dealt with, then we can deal with this because we do need to deal with the issue of the vice-chairs. If we can have the assurance from our colleagues that this will be put on the agenda.... I don't think it should take very long, but we need to make sure that once we hear back from PROC and internal economy, we're structured.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Levitt Liberal York Centre, ON
It's in no way my intention to onward postpone this. I just know that those issues are literally on the table now. I believe we are supporting the addition of an additional vice-chair. Let's at least hear.... Again, it's not meant to delay or cause any issue beyond. If it's going to get dealt with tomorrow and we can deal with this on Monday, that would be great.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
I would still like to have an assurance from the clerk that having only one vice-chair is not detrimental in any way and that no situation will arise that leaves us without a second vice-chair.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
According to procedure, we have to have a second vice-chair, so that's certainly not brought under question. That will be put into place. The question is whether or not we will have two second vice-chairs. That is a decision that is before PROC at the moment and a decision that should be reached, I believe, tomorrow. Once that decision is finalized, then we can move forward with either putting one second vice-chair in place or putting two second vice-chairs in place.
I would just ask again for the support of the committee to go ahead and put the routine motions in place.
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Madam Chair, thank you.
I'd like to move the following routine motions.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
Perhaps, if I may, just give me one moment to confer with the clerk. I will suspend for two seconds.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rachael Thomas
I will bring us back to order at this time.
What I will do is this. I have a copy of the motions in front of me and I'd like to go through them one by one and the committee will either say yea or nay to each one. Then if there are additions to be made at the end, we will have an opportunity to discuss them. Of course, throughout, as I go through each motion, you will have the opportunity to present changes should you wish to do so, and then the committee will vote on that.
Ms. Shanahan.