Evidence of meeting #1 for Finance in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Suzie Cadieux
Michaël Lambert-Racine  Analyst, Library of Parliament
Christine Lafrance  Legislative Clerk
June Dewetering  Committee Researcher

12:35 p.m.

Legislative Clerk

Christine Lafrance

It was just to say that the way the former finance committee worked was that parties would send their lists to the clerk in a prioritized order, and the clerk would do organized panels proportionately to the weight of the parties in the House. The clerk would submit that list to the chair for approval. Then every time someone declined or accepted, the clerk would go back to the staff of the party to see if he or she wanted us to pursue the list or if she or he wanted someone else.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

We're happy proceeding in that fashion.

12:35 p.m.

Legislative Clerk

Christine Lafrance

Also, everyone was kept informed of things as we were going along, as to who had accepted the invitation or declined the invitation, or whether invitations were outstanding.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Mr. McColeman.

12:35 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

I think there was reference to it earlier. Is there a list available of groups from the past years who have been witnesses? Is there something online or anything in the past committee's archives that we could access just to see who the groups are that have been witnesses?

12:35 p.m.

The Clerk

On the website there's no list per se, but in the reports from past years you have all the organizations that have appeared, and all the organizations and individuals who have submitted briefs. The meetings are categorized by study on the committee's website as well.

12:35 p.m.

Conservative

Phil McColeman Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON

Great, thank you.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

I have one very last point, I promise. I do think we want to stress with potential witnesses that we are in a compressed time situation, and that if they could remain focused on issues pertaining to the upcoming budget, tax measures, or what have you, without unduly burdening them with constraints, I think that would be helpful for us all.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Parties should have their lists to the clerk no later than February 8, Monday, at 5 p.m.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Raj Grewal Liberal Brampton East, ON

Mr. Chair, are we still looking at 89 witnesses in total?

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

We are, roughly.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Raj Grewal Liberal Brampton East, ON

That's it roughly, give or take, and it's six witnesses per three-hour session.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

It's 12.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

Raj Grewal Liberal Brampton East, ON

Twelve witnesses per three-hour session, so it's 24 witnesses a day. Perfect.

12:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

That's except for the day the minister's here.

Okay, I think we're basically all on the same wavelength. I'll just state again that parties should have their lists to the clerk no later than 5 p.m. on February 8, and they'll be prioritized as was laid out.

The meeting is adjourned.