Evidence of meeting #9 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was service.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Marc-Olivier Girard
John Gordon  National President, Executive Office, Public Service Alliance of Canada
Gary Corbett  President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
Claude Poirier  President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees
Milt Isaacs  President, Association of Canadian Financial Officers

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

I'd like to bring the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to order. This is meeting number nine. Today we have witnesses before us.

Go ahead, Madam Hall Findlay.

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Given the odd timing today, because we have votes later on, I would like to suggest that we take the first 15 minutes for committee business instead of having it at the end. I know it's an imposition on the witnesses, but can we take the first 15 minutes to address committee business?

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Do you mean in camera or public?

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON

In public.

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Is it agreeable to committee members to have the first 15 minutes for committee business, and then we can proceed? We will have votes. The bells are at 5:15, and we'll be leaving immediately.

Okay, we will go with committee business.

Madam Hall Findlay, the floor is yours.

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In terms of committee business, everybody on the committee will have received in both languages the original motion that we submitted. I will read it out:

That the committee immediately conduct a study on renewable energy project funding by the Government of Canada, and associated lobbying and advising activities associated with such funding; that the witnesses the committee calls before it shall include, but not be limited to: the Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources; Hon. Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour; Patrick Glémaud, Green Power Generation Corp.; Rahim Jaffer, Green Power Generation Corp.; Nazim Gillani, International Strategic Investments; the Hon. Helena Guergis, member of Parliament for Simcoe--Grey; and that the committee submit a report to the House of Commons on its findings.

3:25 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Marc-Olivier Girard

He should not be taping, the camera.

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

We said it would be public.

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON

Yes.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

Yes, but public doesn't mean that it's televised. The media are authorized to televise when they give prior notice to the clerk and to the committee, which is not the case in this instance. I said to the journalist that he can film before the beginning of the meeting or for a few seconds after, but not the entire meeting.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Is he gone? Has he finished? Which journalists are we talking about? Where are they?

Okay, now, is that okay?

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Martha Hall Findlay Liberal Willowdale, ON

Should I just repeat the motion, then?

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

No, you're fine.

We will open debate. Go ahead, Madame Bourgeois.

3:30 p.m.

Bloc

Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC

I would like to propose an amendment to what has been suggested by my colleague. I would like to add the name “Mike Mihelic” after “[...] the Honourable Helena Guergis, Member of Parliament for Simcoe—Grey [...]”.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Are there any objections to that addition?

Ms. Bourgeois, could you repeat that name?

3:30 p.m.

Bloc

Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC

His name is Mike Mihelic. I hope that is the right pronunciation.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Okay. We have a motion and an amendment.

Do you want to speak to the motion, Mr. Warkentin?

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

I have a question with regard to the amendment. I'm not familiar with that gentleman's name.

3:30 p.m.

NDP

Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

He's a bodyguard.

3:30 p.m.

Bloc

Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC

He is Nazim Gillani's bodyguard.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

He's the Argo guy.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

He's a bodyguard. Is he somebody's bodyguard?

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

He's Mr. Gillani's bodyguard.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

I don't know who the other gentleman is either.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi

Okay, I think the motion is before us. Is it a friendly amendment, Madame Bourgeois?

Madam Hall Findlay, are you agreeable to that friendly amendment?