I so move.
Evidence of meeting #1 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vote.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #1 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vote.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
I will now move my amendment.
If I could speak briefly, I take Mark's sentiment. I know what he is trying to say. What I don't want to do is set up a hierarchy of one over the other. They should be offered both. If a witness can testify, and if they request to come before the committee, we'll pay their expenses. At that time we should also say to them, “If you want to testify by video conference, you can.” Mark's point, I think, is if someone can't do it—
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC
Your wording is probably adequate, I just wanted to....
4:10 p.m.
NDP
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Do you want me to read my...? It says, “However, each witness shall be offered the opportunity to testify by video conference."
We could add the words “where possible” at the end of that, if you like.
4:10 p.m.
An hon. member
It's pretty clear anyway.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
I think we'll just stop at “video conference”.
(Amendment agreed to)
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Oh, sorry, yes, you're right. I'm new here.
Okay, so now we're voting on the whole thing. Do I have to repeat that?
4:10 p.m.
A voice
No.
February 16th, 2016 / 4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
(Motion agreed to)
The next issue for motion is staff at in camera meetings. The motion says that unless otherwise ordered, each committee member shall be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting, and in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.
It is moved by Mr. Strahl.
(Motion agreed to)
We'll turn to in camera meeting transcripts. The motion is 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.
It is moved by Ms. Jordan.
(Motion agreed to)
We turn now to notice of motions. It is 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, and that the notice of motion be filed with the clerk of the committee and distributed by 5 p.m. to members in both official languages.
It is moved by Mr. McDonald.
(Motion agreed to)
We turn to allocation of time for questioning. It is that witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed 10 minutes to make their opening statement, and here is a proposal for the rotation as put forward. It is that in round one, the first question is to the Conservative Party for six minutes, the second question is to the Liberal Party for six minutes, and the third question is to the NDP for six minutes. That's round one.
In round two, the first question is to the Liberals for six minutes, the second question is to the Conservatives for six minutes, the third question is to the Liberals for six minutes, the fourth question is to the Conservatives for five minutes, and the fifth question is to the NDP for three minutes.
Go ahead, Mr. Strahl.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC
Yes. I would propose some changes here, and I'll just go through them and then we'll discuss them briefly.
The PROC committee adopted a slightly modified version, which is closer to what we had in the last Parliament, so I would propose, and I don't know how we do this but this would be my proposal. Round one would go Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Liberal, and those would be seven-minute rounds; and then the next round would go Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Liberal, NDP, five-minute rounds, with three minutes for the NDP at the end.
The reason for this is that, if you look at the rotation by time, there would be, in round one, slot four, and round two, slot one, 12 consecutive minutes of questioning from the government side. I think the seven-minute rounds give that first round a little more weight, a little more opportunity for every party to be represented, with the government getting two cracks at it there. This is what we did in the last Parliament, and I think the rotation is a little better in that there is constant rotation between the parties and not such a long stretch for one side to have the microphone, but still the same number of minutes in total, and the same proportion of questions.
It is my hope that we could get some agreement on that.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
We'll go to Mr. Davies for discussion in just a moment. But first, let's not forget, we have to accept this motion as is and then amend it afterwards.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC
No, I'd be moving an amendment.
I'm sorry, I don't want to fight with the chair on the first day. I don't think we vote in favour of a motion and then essentially vote against it by voting in favour of the amendment. It can be moved, but not voted on.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC
Retroactively, my entire argument is to amend the motion that Mr. Arnold has moved.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
That's duly noted and thank you for the explanation.
Is there any discussion on that?
Mr. Davies.
