There's no motion.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was advertising.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was advertising.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
Mr. Chair, with all due respect to Mr. Julian, we agreed to expedite this at a previous committee meeting. We all agreed to schedule extra meetings in if we needed to sit longer hours. So we all were aware of that, and the chair is correct that it is at his discretion. I'm just trying to alert everyone.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
And if it doesn't pass, we've already agreed to do a pre-study.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
—think this is very good use of our time.
To Mr. Laforest's suggestion to make sure that we get as many witnesses in and to your comment, I would suggest we meet Monday evening too, if we have to.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I can just re-emphasize what I said this morning and at the last meeting. If you have suggested witnesses on the Budget Implementation Act—I know Mr. McCallum has submitted some and Mr. Menzies has submitted some—submit those to the clerk as soon as possible.
Monsieur Laforest.
5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
If no motion is tabled, then who decides, Mr. Chair, on how the committee will proceed? Mr. Menzies said that the committee had agreed to fast-track the process. We have no problem with agreeing to fast-track matters, when it comes to a decision to hold additional meetings on Mondays. However, I don't understand the rush here. There is a difference between moving quickly and moving very quickly.
As early as next Monday and Tuesday, we will begin hearing from witnesses. Why not set aside the entire week after the break to hear from witnesses. We can hear from the minister on Monday afternoon, but why not block off our regular Tuesday and Thursday meetings for witness testimony. Setting aside two regular committee meetings to hear from witnesses should not be construed as delaying the process unnecessarily.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
The guidance given to the chair is that the Budget Implementation Act, should it pass in the House, should be given priority in this committee. That's certainly what I'll be following. I'll certainly be following members' guidance with respect to any witnesses they would like to bring before the committee. On members debating quickly, or too quickly, I don't want to get into a debate on the nuance of what those two phrases mean.
My sense is that if the budget would pass this week and the committee sits the week we come back, if it is the will of the committee, then we would add additional meetings. I understand you're in accordance with that as long as we hear from as many witnesses as are brought forward. That would be the will, but, frankly, I don't want to get into the committee micromanaging what the schedule will be. I think what Mr. Menzies was doing here was just providing information and trying to be forward with the committee as to what they were hoping to do.
I would remind members that all it takes is four members to write the chair to request a meeting, and, looking around the table, I suspect there are enough members to request that meeting.
I don't know if that answers the question, but I hope it provides some information.
Mr. Julian.
5:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Chair, the committee meetings regularly scheduled are for Thursday?
5:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Yes. So on Thursday I think the committee will have a better sense of whether or not the bill is passing this week, and Mr. Mulcair will be here. I think the discussion is better held on Thursday than right now.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
We've decided it's going ahead, but thanks for your information, Peter.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Do members really want to make a point, or do we want to finish the discussion here?
Mr. Wallace.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
Mr. Chair, my point is on what you've done today. We had made a commitment that we wanted to do estimates, but we couldn't get the people here. You picked a different day and time and informed us, as committee members, of the new time to deal with estimates. We're here and we did the job.
All you're doing now is informing us that this committee has asked you for more time to deal with the budget in an expeditious way. You're providing more time for that on Monday. It's not really up for discussion, as far as I know.
