Evidence of meeting #118 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 44th 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.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
On that note, Madame Desbiens, I will ask members whether they're in favour of allowing the officials to exit the room if they want to. It's not looking as if we're going to get much done with the officials today. We'll have to try at another time.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Chair, before that, can we call the vote now on Mr. Arnold's motion?
Liberal
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Unless there's a point of order, I believe I have the floor.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Well, I recognized Mr. Cormier.
I mentioned to the officials...if they wanted to stay or go. It doesn't look as if there's going to be any interaction with the officials today. I don't want to waste their evening. It's bad enough for us to be out here wasting our own time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
No interpretation....
I just want to know whether the officials can go.
Is everyone in favour?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
It's up to you guys. If you want to give up on this evening, by all means—
Mark Waddell Director General, Fisheries Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We're in your hands, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
No, it's up to you now. I'm saying you have the freedom to leave now, or you can wait until the meeting ends at 6:30, 7:30 or whatever time it has to end. I don't think we're going to get too much in the way of hearing from officials, or getting questions to officials. As chair, I give the four of you permission to leave. Hopefully, we'll get back to it again down the road, and we'll invite you back to do your presentation. I hate wasting people's time just staring into your gaze to understand what's going on here.
It's up to you guys. You're free to go. I appreciate the fact that you showed up. Hopefully, we'll get you back in the future and listen to what you had to say.
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
All right, nobody left, so I'm going to tell the officials this: We're not going to get any testimony from you tonight. I'm going out on a limb saying that. I'll say that you can leave now, and we'll get back in touch when we're ready to do the study again down the road. I don't want to waste any more of your time. I think that's exactly what we're doing now—wasting your time with the four of you being here.
Conservative
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
I take offence to you saying that we are wasting their time. I think they are hearing honest words from this group.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
They can leave if they want to. I'm just saying they were invited here for a purpose.
Conservative
