Evidence of meeting #4 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Now, at the invitation of Ms. Hall Findlay and Madame Bourgeois, it's March 24, because it gives us lots more time to read those reports. March 26 is unallocated.
Does anybody want to walk through this again, or are we okay?
Order.
The researcher has asked if we're going to do any reports. We won't actually know until we get there, but it doesn't look like we're digging into these things any more than about six to eight inches deep. Should we find something that we want to look at more closely, we can, but at this point we're surfing right through our mandate and doing what we're supposed to do. I don't see a need for a report.
Madame Bourgeois.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
To answer your question, Mr. Chair, all of the topics listed here are extremely important, in my view. We should produce a report on each individual topic.
That’s why I always hesitate to say that we will devote only one or two meetings to each topic. For example, with respect to the sale of buildings, it’s quite possible that we could request more time to study this file. Also, it is quite possible that we will need to devote more time to our study of the topic suggested by Mr. Martin, namely information technologies.
Personally, I would like us to draft and table a report that proves we take our work seriously.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
If we can cobble together something useful in a report, I'm sure colleagues will want to do it. As we tackle each issue we may or may not catch any fish, if I can put it that way. We'll wait to see how these things evolve. I'll be delighted to table reports from the committee. Keep the cards and letters coming.
Are we okay on this? We have a good raft of future business.
Mr. Anders, do you have something to say?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
He's happy.
That's great, colleagues. I look forward to seeing you.
It's not a week off, Mr. Clerk; it's a week of work in the constituency. I look forward to seeing you all after the constituency week.
Mr. McTeague has a another comment.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
I have an observation, and I leave it for all committee members.
We seem to be working well together, despite some confusion on dates. Mr. Chair, the steering committee has within it members of all parties, with you representing the Liberal Party. But even in the steering committee, I think it puts you in the enviable position of having to act as both a partisan person and chair. I know that other committees--perhaps public accounts would be an example--might accept one or another of the Liberal members to sit on the steering committee. But we're virtually shut out by virtue of the fact that you're the chair. It's something to consider, Chris, and it's up to you.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Did we not pass that it in the routine motions? It would have been an omission. I think it's appropriate in the steering committee that you, Mr. Chair, not have to work in a partisan nature, but simply facilitate the meeting and allow one of your colleagues to represent.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
That would be great, but keep in mind that the steering committee isn't really going to do anything. In theory, if you have a steering committee and you have a vote, you end up with three opposition, one government, and an opposition chair. So it's not a forum where you can have any kind of vote. Whatever product the subcommittee has would have to come to the main committee.
The colleagues around the table are very easy to work with here and we got along pretty well, but I did find it impossible to drive any kind of Liberal opposition bus when I was chair of the subcommittee.
Mr. Anders.
Conservative
Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB
I came in at the very end of the steering committee discussion, but I thought it was a pretty fair rendition, etc. I prefer not to complicate my life with more steering committee meetings, please. So if we can deal with future business here with all of us present, that's fine.
Conservative
Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB
If we're going to be doing formal, informal, or whatever you want to call these steering committee meetings, hopefully they'll be at a time in the week when we're all likely to be here. I had to make arrangements to come from Toronto to be here just for the meeting, which I came into late, as you know. On Wednesdays there are often votes; those are pretty good. Mondays and Fridays are a little more difficult.
Those are my thoughts.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Through the cooperation of the members, we got off the ground early and quickly. We reviewed the estimates and reported them to the House, and we have a working agenda. We're in good shape. I take your point, and we'll try to proceed in that fashion.
Mr. McTeague.
Liberal
Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
Mr. Chair, should there be a steering committee meeting, do we wait outside? Do we show up? I'm not clear as to what the procedure is.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
I think there's an acceptance that a Liberal could attend and drive the Liberal bus. Is that okay?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Derek Lee
Okay. Thank you, colleagues.
We've managed to do this in an hour, which is pretty good. Thank you very much. We'll see you at the next meeting.
We're adjourned.