Information & Ethics Committee on Oct. 18th, 2023

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

The one who will be appearing at committee, obviously.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Just a moment please.

There is a question and a suggestion from the clerk.

We're worried about where this might go.

Madam Clerk.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Nancy Vohl]

In an ideal world, when someone suggests amendments, they provide a sentence, indicating where in the motion it is to be inserted.

Can you give us the exact wording?

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I propose that the Minister of Innovation appear to evaluate potential interference or conflict of interest in this regard.

The minister will be appearing for a reason, and it is part of the committee's mandate.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Mr. Villemure proposed an amendment. Are there any comments?

Mr. Barrett, go ahead.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON]

I support the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Thank you.

Is there any other discussion? I don't see any.

Are we in agreement on Mr. Villemure's amendment?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Could someone repeat the amendment? The first time, I thought it pertained to the minister, but now it seems that it pertains to the situation.

I just want to make sure that I understand the difference.

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I propose that the Minister of Innovation appear to evaluate the minister's potential interference and to a potential ministerial conflict of interest.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

If I understand correctly, that would be after the minister's appearance, is that correct?

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

No. I am proposing that this be included now so we can talk to him about it.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

No, that's okay.

Just hang on a second, guys. Let's get through this, if we can.

Do we have agreement on division?

(Amendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Thank you, Monsieur Villemure.

Mr. Green, can I assume that you were good with the amendment? Okay. Thank you.

Now we're on the main motion as amended.

Is there any further discussion on the main motion as amended?

Seeing none, by a show of hands, do we have agreement as a committee on the main motion as amended?

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

Mr. Green, can I circle back with you to have a discussion about what you brought up earlier? I do have some information that's relevant to your concern. I'd like to do that, if we can get together at some point tomorrow, and then we can discuss it. Obviously, I'm at the will of the committee if the committee wants to expand this further, but there was some discussion about the amendments and the motion as related to the social media study. I would like to discuss that with you first. Then, if we need to, we can bring that back to committee at the next meeting.

The clerk has just reminded me again that we work on deadlines here. On Ms. Khalid's point about asking TikTok for any further information and any questions that we have, can we set a firm deadline?

I'm going to suggest maybe a week from now. Is a week from today too long or too short to have your questions in to the clerk so that they can send them to TikTok?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Chair, I can probably have them in by the end of the week, to be honest.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

How about Friday by five o'clock?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Yes. I'm not sure how other members feel about it, but I have my questions prepared.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Okay. Why don't we look at Friday by five? That provides a little bit of clarity on your side.

[A voice]

Is there a deadline for them to answer back?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Do we want a deadline for them to answer back?

Ms. Khalid, do you have any suggestions?

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

A week would be fantastic. We do want to be able to write the report based on the answers.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

Okay. Our deadline for proposing questions will be Friday at five o'clock. Their deadline for responding to questions will be the following week at five o'clock.

Now, we do have a study budget that should be adopted today. I don't expect that this will be a problem. I just want to make sure we have the approval of the committee on the budget. We have a study budget that is in the amount of $22,250.

Can I seek approval from the committee to approve the budget?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Brassard]

I want to thank everyone for today. We started what I thought was a really good study.

I want to thank the clerks and the analysts for all their preparatory work on this, which will continue next week. Thank you to the technicians as well.

Have a great week, everyone. We'll see you on Monday.

The meeting is adjourned.