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
Absolutely. That is the common practice.
The only times we have not had documents in both official languages were when they were called at such short notice that we did not have the time to translate the documents.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
So it can be done as long as we notify presenters. Large organizations would have the ability to translate, but in the case of a small group or an individual, if it's a reasonable number of pages and as long as they're notified, the House can do that.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Exactly.
Are we okay with this motion as worded?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
We now have working meals. That's not very controversial. Is that okay with everyone?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Okay.
Next is witnesses' expenses: 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 at the discretion of the chair.
(Motion agreed to)
Merci.
The next one is staff at in camera meetings: that, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member and one other staff person per party present at an in camera meeting.
I'm assuming everyone knows what an in camera meeting is.
Is there discussion? Are we all okay with that?
Go ahead, Ms. Glover.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
I'm wondering if we could add, “In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend in camera meetings”.
That would be from the House officer's staff.
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
It's that a staff member from a House officer attend in camera meetings. It would be from the whip or House leader's office. It's one member from each party's House or whip's office.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I think we're all okay with that. Thank you, Mrs. Glover.
(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
(Motion as amended agreed to)
We will now go to in camera meeting transcripts: 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.
(Motion agreed to)
Next is notice of motions: that 36 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the clerk of the committee and distributed to members in both official languages.
Go ahead, Mrs. McLeod.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I would like to add, as it was a bit of an issue in the last round, that completed motions that are received by the close of business shall be distributed to members the same day.
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
It would be 48 hours' notice rather than 36, and then at the end it would be that completed motions that are received by the close of business shall be distributed to members the same day.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
In our last subcommittee there was a clarity issue over when the timing starts. It should be either three o'clock or five o'clock on the day in question so as to give everybody a clear understanding of when the 48-hour or 36-hour period begins.
Conservative
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
We have a proposal that we set a deadline of four o'clock on a normal day and two o'clock on Fridays in order to allow the clerk the time to get the motion and--
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Is there general agreement that it be 48 hours instead of 36 hours? As well, with respect to the completed motions, I think the opposition is saying they're okay with it if we specify a time of 4 p.m. normally and 2 p.m. on Fridays.
D'accord?
Okay, everybody is very agreeable. That's excellent.
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
The next motion is on location of meetings: that all meetings of the finance committee be held in Centre Block and televised whenever possible.
That's unless it's at La Promenade, where the chair has his office.
Go ahead, Mr. Jean.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Bluntly, I'm not sure. Obviously I'm not the parliamentary secretary, but a lot of us have offices at La Promenade. I know this is used a lot for hot issues going from finance to different committees, so instead of changing offices and buildings constantly, I don't understand why it couldn't be left to the chair's discretion. If we were to have votes that night, we'd know in advance whether Centre Block was open.
There are a lot of us at La Promenade. With no disrespect to this great historical endeavour called Centre Block, it's a lot more comfortable there, and the air conditioning actually works. A lot of work is going to be done by this committee, and when you sit six hours in a building that isn't air conditioned, it's not a lot of fun. It's a much better facility, frankly.
Rather than have a motion like that, I'd prefer to leave it to the discretion of the chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
There is no requirement to pass this specific one.
I have Mr. Marston, and then Ms. Glover.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
At La Promenade, are there any facilities for televising?