Government Operations Committee on Nov. 25th, 2020

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you.

In raising the issue of the twelfth meeting, I feel like I've opened a Pandora's box full of discussions.

Having said that, I like to play devil's advocate. We could plan the next four meetings with witnesses, which would take us to January 4 or 5, it doesn't matter. In January, for the rest of the study, we could wait and see what we come across further down the line.

As Mr. Drouin said, and as we all know, anything can happen at our table at any moment. I think it would be a good idea to meet halfway, that is, plan the next four or five meetings on this topic and then keep the other meetings open. That way, everyone would get along and work in harmony.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you, Madame Vignola. That sounds like a great idea, and I think it's one that hopefully the committee will consider as we go forward.

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I just want to go on the record right now as a point of privilege to state how proud I am that our friend from the Bloc is working so hard and so diligently to bring our federation together across all party lines. I hope that goes into Hansard. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you, Mr. Green.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

You crack me up, Matthew.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Raphaëlle, go ahead.

[Raphaëlle Deraspe]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have two things. Can Mr. Weiler just repeat the name of the company he would like added to meeting number eight? I did not catch it, unfortunately.

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

The company is called AbCellera.

[Raphaëlle Deraspe]

Thank you.

The second point I have, Mr. Chair, is that I suggest putting back meeting 12 as tentative, based on Madame Vignola's comment, and then the committee can reassess that later on this winter.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you very much, Raphaëlle.

I personally like Madame Vignola's idea, but it's your decision as to whether we go that route. I think planning four to six and then adjusting as time goes by...as Raphaëlle said, adding number 12 back to the end of the list, which could be set up and then submitted to everybody in a very timely manner.

Do I see consensus on that?

[The Clerk]

I think Mr. Drouin would like to intervene, Mr. Chair.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'll just make one point. As long as the witnesses and the panels reflect what we as parties have suggested.... Again, I want to make sure that the CPC witnesses are represented, but also ours, the Bloc's and the NDP's. I think it's a matter of fairness for everybody on this committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Thank you, Mr. Drouin.

I believe that the analysts and the clerk have recognized that fact and will continue to recognize that aspect as they design the study as we go forward. Thank you for those comments.

Is there any further discussion?

Seeing none, I—

[The Clerk]

Mr. Chair, I don't mean to delay this any longer. I just want to make sure that the analysts and I are clear on the next steps. There had been discussion of approving the first four to five meetings, but then also discussion of creating a new work plan.

Perhaps this is just me. I want to understand what exactly the committee wants the analysts to produce.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

I believe what they're looking for is the four to six meetings that we've already talked about, that Raphaëlle has put forward, with the adjustments from Mr. Paul-Hus. It would be to start moving forward on those and then adjusting as we go after that point.

With that said, I believe the analysts would put that together on paper, which we would also give to the committee members so that they could have a quick look to make certain they're comfortable with it along those lines.

[The Clerk]

Okay. The analysts will produce a third version of the work plan, but we can start moving forward on the first four or five meetings that are planned on it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

That is what I've been led to believe, but to make certain, is that everything that the committee is comfortable with?

Do we have a thumbs-up?

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to speak.

[The Clerk]

Mr. Paul-Hus would like to intervene.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

With respect to the adjustments to the plan that I proposed, we had a consensus. We said it wasn't necessary to redo the document in hopes of getting final approval. We have already approved what I proposed, with a consensus. So, based on that discussion, we can establish the final work plan.

[The Clerk]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Robert Gordon Kitchen]

Okay, is everyone comfortable with that? I see thumbs-up.

With that, I will call the meeting adjourned and I will drop my hockey puck.