Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
For some reason I don't have a copy of that motion and I apologize. I have a list here but for some reason I don't have that, so I'll refer to the clerk.
The motion does say that with the agreement of the majority of the committee we would go in camera anyway.
The Clerk
Yes, I don't have that version either but I expect that the committee can agree to go in camera when it chooses.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Again, Clerk, it has been a few years.
Generally speaking, a motion to go in camera is a dilatory motion. It is generally not debated, the reason oftentimes being that the safety and security of witnesses in a debate would be compromised while we're debating whether we go in camera. Is that correct?
The Clerk
Generally speaking, an in camera motion is not debatable unless there's a condition attached to it, but if the committee wishes that to be the case, they can do that.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
According to the information that I received, this motion came from the Clerk of the House of Commons. Madam Clerk, I hope that I haven't done anything disrespectful towards the committee.
Conservative
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Which motion are you referring to? I have a copy of the routine motions that were distributed.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
I'm talking about the motion that Mr. Fergus just read out. It's not on my copy of routine motions nor on the clerk's copy. I can navigate that as long as everybody else has a copy, but you all need to have in front of you a written copy of what was said in order to really make a proper judgment.
October 8th, 2020 / 11:50 a.m.
Conservative
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Can we have MP Fergus reread the routine motion, the other routine in camera meetings motion he has, and have it read into record, and during that time have the clerk distribute that copy to all the members, please?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Absolutely, yes.
Mr. Fergus, we will have you read it into the record and then we will take some time to have the clerk pass it on to us.
Liberal
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I understood that another copy was sent to the clerk. I hope that she received it in both official languages. I want to draw your attention to the second-to-last part, which concerns in camera meetings:
That the committee may meet in camera only for the following purposes: (a) to consider a draft report; (b) to attend briefings concerning national security; (c) to consider lists of witnesses; (d) for any other reason, with the unanimous consent of the committee. That all votes taken in camera, with the exception of votes regarding the consideration of draft reports, be recorded in the minutes of proceedings, including how each member voted when recorded votes are requested; That any motion to sit in camera is debatable and amendable.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Mr. Chair, in response to what Mr. Angus has proposed, and from rereading the subsequent paragraphs, would his idea not be included in paragraph (d) where we say “for any other reason with the unanimous consent of the committee”?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Yes, as long as it's very clear that it would have to be unanimous to do that and not just by a majority.
