Evidence of meeting #1 for Finance in the 40th 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Jean-François Pagé

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, we can go to a vote or have further discussion.

Mr. Wallace.

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The definition of a reduced quorum is four people. Is that not correct?

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

It depends on what we adopt.

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

No, but under this motion....

What's quorum normally? What's the normal quorum? Is it seven? So if we have seven people here, regardless of which party they're from, the meeting can start. Is that correct?

An hon.member

Yes.

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

Right.

So then if there's a reduced quorum, if there are only four people here, based on the motion that's being presented, at least each party needs to be represented. Is that correct?

An hon. member

That's correct.

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

So the chances that we only have four people at a finance committee meeting in Canada are pretty slim, based on our experience.

So this would only be on a rare, rare occasion, based on my experience. I'm going to support the motion that the parliamentary secretary put forward, because it makes sense that if we only have four, each party should be represented at it.

Thank you very much.

9:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you, Mr. Wallace.

Monsieur Laforest.

Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

That would happen only on very rare occasions. However, when the day comes that witnesses have travelled here at taxpayers' expense, then, as you stated earlier, the Finance Committee will be under intense scrutiny. We could be leaving ourselves open to some criticism. When this happens, these witnesses will rightly be in a position to say that the Finance Committee made a bad decision today.

Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC

Mr. Chair, the comparison with the standard quorum is somewhat lame. The proposal to allow a reduced quorum would mean that the presence of one member from each opposition party would be required. It's possible that someone could be late and that the committee could still function. However, if we agree to this motion for a reduced quorum—and this situation could very well arise—and if we have to cancel the meeting because of the requirement that one member from each party must be present, this would result in unnecessary delays for the witnesses who have taken the time to come here. If we agree to this reduced quorum, then we would have to wait until we had a regular quorum in order to start the meeting. This suggestion is impractical.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay. Merci.

Mr. Pacetti.

Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have no wish to repeat what has already been stated, but it's important to clarify that this applies only in cases where we receive and publish witness submissions. It has nothing to do with votes on motions. The aim is to ensure that we show more respect for the witnesses. In the past, we encountered some problems during pre-budget consultations. I believe that was the only time that we did not have a quorum. In my opinion, the quorum should remain at three members.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you.

We'll call the vote on the amendment as proposed by Mr. Menzies to have at least four members present, including a member of each recognized party.

(Amendment agreed to)

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Now we'll go to the motion as amended.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB

Is there a chance to add something?

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

To this motion?

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB

To the reduced quorum motion we're dealing with. It's to do with meetings that are out of this precinct.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Do you want to do that before you vote on the amended motion?

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB

Can we do it all at once, or do we want to do it in a second...?

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Go ahead.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB

I think this is a case where the opposition shouldn't be opposed to this. As Monsieur Carrier and Monsieur Laforest were saying, this is out of respect for our witnesses.

In the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside of the parliamentary precinct, committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

Not that we've had much opportunity to travel, but ordinarily we would. There's always a challenge of making sure we can hear witnesses, that we don't wait for half an hour or an hour to have all the members there.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Do you want to do this as the next motion, then?

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB

If we can. A separate motion is fine.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

All those in favour of the reduced quorum motion as amended?