Evidence of meeting #1 for Finance in the 41st 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 James Rajotte
Thank you very much, all of you. Some of you know each other, but please get to know your colleagues from other parties across the table. It certainly helps in the functioning of the committee.
In terms of the functioning of the committee, we also have a very special clerk. The clerk is here to serve all members of the committee. Please do rely on the clerk for all questions regarding procedural matters.
We'll have the clerk introduce herself as well.
The Clerk
My name is Guyanne Desforges. I've been in procedural services for the last 15 years, on different committees and different rotations, and I'm very pleased to join the finance committee.
Mariane Beaudin Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate, House of Commons
My name is Mariane Beaudin. I am also a procedural clerk. I used to be the clerk of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights; I'm now the clerk for the health committee.
I'm assisting my colleague today for the meeting.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you, all.
We will now proceed to routine motions.
As you know, the committee must adopt routine motions as its first order of business. You all should have a copy of the routine motions adopted by the finance committee last time. These are simply a guide, a suggestion. The committee adopts the motions that it chooses.
I will go through them in order, and if any member of the committee has any suggestions on how to improve or change them, please signal me and we will have you speak to them.
The first motion is with regard to the services of analysts from the Library of Parliament: that the committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the committee in its work, at the discretion of the chair.
Could I get a mover for that motion?
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Now I'll ask our analyst to join us here at the table.
The second item deals with the subcommittee on agenda and procedure: that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be composed of the chair, two vice-chairs, a member of the other opposition party and the parliamentary secretary.
This one was adopted the last time. Is there any discussion regarding this motion?
Go ahead, Mrs. Glover.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I'd like to propose an amendment. I'd like to include “the two parliamentary secretaries” rather than just “the parliamentary secretary”, and then remove a member of the Conservative Party.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
So it would say “That the subcommittee be composed of the chair, two vice-chairs, and the two parliamentary secretaries”...?
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Clearly, if you have that, I don't know why you would have a steering committee. It would be dominated.
That's quite different from how you had it before. It's an additional Conservative on the steering committee. Is that...?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
The last time there was me, a vice-chair from the Liberal Party, a vice-chair from the Bloc, Mr. Mulcair as the NDP member, and Mr. Menzies as the parliamentary secretary. That was the last time.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Mrs. Glover is proposing that there would be the chair, two vice-chairs, Mr. Brison would be a member, and the two parliamentary secretaries.
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
I am indicating that is not usually the way it is done, but it is the choice of the committee as to how the committee wants it done. I am just flagging that it is usually one less.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
The change here is you are taking away one opposition member and adding one government member. It might be more valuable to have another opposition voice.
I'm not sure why you need both parliamentary secretaries in this structure.
Conservative
Liberal
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
I'm wondering if Mrs. Glover could speak to the reason for the change.
Conservative
