Evidence of meeting #12 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was service.
9 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
I'm going to call the meeting to order.
It's a little different to see Ms. Greene here. It was this committee that approved her nomination...when was it, two years ago, now?
9 a.m.
Moya Greene President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
No, just a little over a year.
9 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
Just a little over a year? The years go by so quickly, and I'm trying to make them go more quickly.
Before we start with Ms. Greene, I just want to ask about this. There was a motion we were working on last Tuesday. I'd like to know whether the committee would prefer to deal with it right away or put it off until after we hear from Ms. Greene.
Madam Thibault.
9 a.m.
Bloc
Louise Thibault Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
With all due respect for the CEO of Canada Post, I believe we should deal with this right away. We have had the last two and a half days to think about it. I suggest that we spend a couple of minutes discussing it, and then I will ask that the question be put.
9 a.m.
Conservative
9 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
You want to carry on with it now.
If you don't mind, Ms. Greene, we're going to deal with this. It really has nothing to do with you.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
I think this could be an hour's discussion. I'm concerned that we have a guest sitting here.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
Can we commit to dealing with the head of Canada Post within an hour and then have the discussion during the last hour?
9 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
Thank you very much, Mr. Wallace. If you have committee business, I'm fine.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Madam Chair, out of respect for our guests this morning, could we just poll the committee to see what the intentions are with regard to that motion and the amendment? If we see that it's going to take too long, more than five or ten minutes, I don't think it would be reasonable on our part to hold the witness here. So if we could check to see what the intentions are....
9 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
First of all, we have adopted one amendment on that motion, and that's Mr. Warkentin's amendment. Mr. Proulx put forward a motion, which we were debating, and of course there was no consensus.
At the end of the meeting, I asked the parties to see if they could come up with an amendment that they would be happy with. I don't know whether there were discussions subsequently and where this is going, so perhaps if you could let me know, we could have some idea of what will happen with this motion. As Mr. Proulx says, if it's not going anywhere, and if it's going to take an hour and a half, then we'll hear our guest.
First Mr. Proulx, then Mr. Kramp, and then Mr. Wallace.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I will surprise you, Madam Chair, in saying that I agree with my amendment to Mrs. Thibault's motion. Even though her motion has already been amended, I agree with my amendment.
Let's see what the others are saying.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON
Suffice it to say that even though we, the Conservative Party, support the principle of the 75/25 according to the terms and conditions of the 1984 agreement, we don't think, with the manner in which it's being presented, that this is in order right now. We will be opposing it.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
I just need some clarification. We had another updated or revised motion from Madam Thibault. Is that what we're going to debate right now?
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
No. After Mr. Warkentin's amendment was passed, we were looking at Mr. Proulx's amendment, which hasn't been voted on.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau
That's essentially what the motion is now...as amended.
Yes, Mr. Kramp.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Daryl Kramp Conservative Prince Edward—Hastings, ON
As well, Madam Chair, I don't think too many people have any disagreement with the intent of the motion. We are concerned with what we believe to be inadequate preparation for this event. I have no problem, and we have no problem, with bringing this back to committee and bringing forth the witnesses we need to be able to reinforce the terms and conditions of the original 1984 agreement: the present status, accurate facts, with data supplied to us by the different departments. Then we can make an intelligent decision and be totally in line with the spirit and the intent of the original 1984 agreement.