Finance Committee on Feb. 4th, 2016

[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.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

We're happy proceeding in that fashion.

[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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. McColeman.

[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?

[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.

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

Great, thank you.

[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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

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

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

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

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We are, roughly.

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

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

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

It's 12.

[Raj Grewal, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

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

[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.