Evidence of meeting #45 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was report.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

4:25 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

It shouldn't contain either, I agree with you. It should not contain any commentary.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Okay, I have a list here. Mr. Lunney and then Mr. Obhrai.

February 14th, 2011 / 4:25 p.m.

Conservative

James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

Mr. Chair, the point was raised that we probably could have a very quick meeting; we discuss what's basically there and then put down the facts. I believe the Speaker has access to the blues of the committee meeting here. It's recorded in Hansard. If we're not going to be having a report that requires discussion, then he has access to the blues.

With all due respect, I think we are going to need to discuss the content of that report, and I think we're going to need to take a look at the nature of that. There is some confusion about what form it will take, and I think we're going to have to flesh that out as we look at it.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Mr. Obhrai.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

I'm not going to say much, except that when the report comes through we can discuss this on Wednesday. I understand the opposition side wants to cut it somewhere and not get the complete picture, but our side wants to get the complete picture.

We can discuss this on Wednesday, when the report comes forward. I would suggest that we move forward and then go back in camera to discuss other committee business.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Go ahead, Paul.

4:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

To be clear, because I'm concerned about where we're going with some of this, I brought up the question of privilege. We agreed it was a question of privilege, and we agreed we'd report it to the House. That's nice and clean and concise.

What we're now discussing is what that report will be, so let's not make it too big. We were talking about the question of privilege; we agreed it was. Now we're talking about what's going to be in that report, because we're getting into recommendations on what we're putting in. It's a very straightforward process.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

I also need some clarification. We've talked about some documents. The clerk has no documents to append.

Go ahead.

4:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

I requested, at a minimum, that we have the transcript from December 9. That's something I would ask to be included in the report.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

I know we can get the transcript. I'm not concerned about the blues.

4:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

You're talking about other documents.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Right.

4:25 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

As long as we're clear on the December 9 piece.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

No other documents?

4:25 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON

In order to make sense of the document, you have to have the actual document that has the word “not” in it.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

We don't have it.

Go ahead, Monsieur Dorion.

4:25 p.m.

Bloc

Jean Dorion Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC

Let me sum things up, Mr. Chair. I think we need a very short report containing the remarks the minister made in the House and the remarks she made when she appeared here. We don't need a lengthy report; just one dealing with the remarks in question.

I agree that that is the way to proceed.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Are there any other comments on this issue?

To recap for everybody, we will have a report done by the researchers and our clerk, which will be ready to discuss on Wednesday.

Is there any other business?

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Not dealing with this, but we have the other stuff.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

We have other business we want to deal with?

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB

Yes.

4:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Can we go in camera for those who want to talk about more committee business?

We'll suspend and go in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]