Evidence of meeting #1 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 44th 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.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Pat Kelly
I vote to adjourn the debate, and we will take this up at another time.
(Motion agreed to)
If I may move to the—
Conservative
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That's correct. I have another motion pertaining to in camera committees, and it's pretty germane, so at this time I'd like to move it.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you very much.
I do have this in two official languages, should anybody require it:
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 Proceeding, including how each member voted when recorded votes are requested; That any motion to sit in camera is debatable and amendable.
Mr. Chair, there have been times in previous Parliaments where the government has tried to move committee meetings in camera to force difficult issues and votes behind closed doors and to avoid public scrutiny.
Bloc
René Villemure Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
My colleague should slow down a little for the sake of the interpretation.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Through you, just to make sure, did the honourable member also receive a translated version?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Pat Kelly
Yes, but you are reading this into the record and we just ask you to go at a pace that the interpreters can keep up with.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I'm happy to go slowly. That's not a problem.
I will repeat, in the event that it was missed by translation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Pat Kelly
Just one moment while we ensure that the interpreters actually have a copy.
Carry on, Mr. Green.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
There have been times in previous Parliaments when the government has tried to move committee meetings in camera to force difficult issues and votes behind closed doors and to avoid public scrutiny. Even in minority Parliaments in which the government could not act unilaterally, there were times when this was attempted, and as a consequence valuable committee time ended up being wasted debating this.
For that reason, there is value to set out parameters at the front end and in routine motions that specify when in camera meetings can take place. Otherwise, we may be in situations where the work of the committee can be wasted in debating frivolous attempts to move in camera.
Mr. Chair, we have heard in preceding comments on previous motions put how people are envisioning the nature of this committee. Just so we're clear, I will share with you that my intention at this committee is to provide a certain level of transparency and accountability to the proceedings of this government.
This is a significant moment in time coming out of COVID, Mr. Chair, and there are likely going to be some very significant conversations. As we have heard time and time again from the government side, sunshine is the best antiseptic. I would like to see this committee operate at the highest level of all committees pertaining to this House, with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, and without attempts to filibuster or to frivolously move things in camera and out of the public eye.
I would call upon all members of this committee to consider this motion in its seriousness, given our experience in the last minority Parliament, to ensure that the discussions of this committee are done in such a way that we know from the outset exactly how we're going to deal with matters pertaining to public interest within this committee.
This has been provided in both official languages, and I'm looking forward to hearing the remarks of members around this table.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Pat Kelly
Thank you, Mr. Green.
Pursuant to Standing Order 67(1) and 67(2), I rule this motion out of order.
We now go back to the routine motions we were on, and I am going to ask now if I could have a member from the floor proceed with the routine motions.
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
Thank you, Chair.
The motion on document distribution reads as follows:
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, and that witnesses be advised accordingly.
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
The motion on working meals reads:That the clerk of the committee, at the discretion of the Chair, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
The motion on travel, accommodation and the living expenses of witnesses reads: That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
The motion on access to in camera meetings reads as follows: That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff member at in camera meetings and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.
Liberal
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
The motion on transcripts of in camera meetings 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 or by their staff; and that the analysts assigned to the committee also have access to the in camera transcripts.