Finance Committee on Feb. 4th, 2016

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

So moved.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We now have “Staff at in camera meeting”:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member in attendance be allowed to have one (1) staff member attend in camera meetings and that each party be allowed to have one (1) staff member from its Whip or House Leader’s Office attend in camera meetings.

Is there a mover?

That is moved by Mr. MacKinnon.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Next is “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.

That is moved by Ms. O'Connell.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Now we have notices of motions:

That 48 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; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages, and that motions received by the Clerk of the Committee by 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and by 2:00 p.m. on Friday be distributed to the members the same day.

Is there a mover?

That is moved by Mr. Sorbara. Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Mr. Chair, we would like to propose an amendment to the subcommittee on agenda and procedure.

The amendment is as follows:

That the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two members of the government: Francesco Sorbara and Steven MacKinnon.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

You have a motion before you. Is there any discussion?

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Could it be repeated?

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Yes. No problem.

The proposal is that the motion on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be read as follows:

That the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two members of the government: Francesco Sorbara and Steven MacKinnon.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Milton, ON]

How many women does that put on the executive or the subcommittee of this finance committee?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

That would be none.

Is there any other debate or discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

“When a witness appears”, do I have a motion?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to move the following motion regarding the appearance of witnesses before the committee:

That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes at the discretion of the Chair to make their opening statement….

As for the order of questioners and the time allocated to them, the first round would be as follows: Liberal Party, 7 minutes; Conservative Party, 7 minutes; Liberal Party, 7 minutes; NDP, 7 minutes. The second round would be as follows: Conservative Party, 5 minutes; Liberal Party, 5 minutes; Conservative Party, 5 minutes; Liberal Party, 5 minutes; NDP, 3 minutes. That's a total of 50 minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Is everyone clear on what that motion said or do you want it read again?

[Phil McColeman, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

I'd prefer to have it read again because I did miss the latter part of the first round I think.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Could you read it again, Steve, please?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

The whole thing, Phil? I'm fine with that.

That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes at the discretion of the Chair to make their opening statement….

The first round would be as follows: Liberal Party, 7 minutes; Conservative Party, 7 minutes; Liberal Party, 7 minutes; NDP, 7 minutes. The second round would be as follows: Conservative Party, 5 minutes; Liberal Party, 5 minutes; Conservative Party, 5 minutes; Liberal Party, 5 minutes; NDP, 3 minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Are we clear on the motion? Ms. Raitt made the point that a minister be given 15 minutes. Are you adding that into your motion as well?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Caron.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

May I propose an amendment?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

As always you can move a motion.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Thank you.

Overall, I have no objection to the total amount of time and the manner in which it's allocated. However, I would like to suggest that, in keeping with the committee's tradition, each party be allowed to make a statement or ask its questions before another party is permitted to speak a second time.

As for how the time is allocated, it suits me fine, but I would suggest amending the first round as follows: Liberal Party, 7 minutes; Conservative Party, 7 minutes; NDP, 7 minutes; and then Liberal Party, 7 minutes.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

I have no problem with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Are we agreed on that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay, we're agreed on that.

Ms. Raitt, do you want it in?