Government Operations Committee on Feb. 14th, 2024

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Because there are two partners and these two—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

No, no. We're not addressing that. It's just “have” instead of “has”. It's purely grammatical—nothing else.

(Subamendment agreed to)

(Amendment agreed to)

Okay. We are perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Block.

Normally, Mrs. Vignola the teacher, I expect that from you, and I'm sure that was coming later today.

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

The French doesn't have any grammar mistakes. How wonderful.

Yes. You made a mistake on the easiest part.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Are we ready to go to a vote on this amended motion, everyone? It's on the amended motion, the final one that had been emailed out to everyone. It's the one emailed out, but with “have” and not “has”, because we've agreed to make the grammatical change, the correction. We'll record it.

(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Wonderful. It passes.

Colleagues, we are going to suspend.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

On a point of order, Chair, I want to clarify. We've adopted the main motion now, so are we good?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Yes.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Bachrach, I think you have to sign out and sign back in with a different Zoom. We'll suspend for a couple of minutes until we get Mr. Bachrach back, and then we'll be back in camera.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

I won't be there, Mr. Chair. I'm going to have a sub for the in camera portion. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Okay.

[Proceedings continue in camera]

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Okay, everyone, the interpreters have their paperwork.

Mr. Sousa.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Chair, thank you so kindly.

I'd like to move a motion dated today, February 14, and it reads as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c), the committee undertake a study on the government's work towards regulatory modernization; that the committee examine matters including:

(a) Examining how to reduce the unnecessary administrative burden for individuals and small businesses;

(b) Examining how to simplify regulatory processes, including certifications and codes of practice, without the need to make regulatory changes and the introduction of regulatory sandboxes;

(c) Cutting unnecessary red tape to make cross-border trade easier through more consistent and coherent rules across governments, such as adopting national standards more widely; and

(d) Examining regulations that may impede international competitiveness;

That the committee allocate four meetings to conduct this study; that witnesses be submitted to the clerk of the committee by February 28, 2024; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response.

In the French and English versions, I think the date is February 21, but we suggest February 28.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Did you say by noon on February 28 for witnesses?

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks very much, Mr. Sousa.

We actually started one in OGGO in the last Parliament. We actually had a motion like this one, as well. I appreciate your bringing it back. I see Mr. Kusmierczyk's border stuff, so I suspect it is involving that.

I see agreement among all of us. Is that correct?

Mr. Cannings.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

The NDP doesn't see the necessity of moving so quickly with this. We would rather this be scheduled after the Canada Post study.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

This is just a motion. This is not to start a meeting.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

However, there is a date involved here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I think it's a date for witnesses, Mr. Cannings.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

As long as that's understood, then.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

This is a motion to start, not to set dates or anything, and it's solely for witnesses. I understand your point, but it's not affecting that.

Is there agreement?

(Motion agreed to)

It's passed, so thank you for bringing it up.

Very quickly, on Canada Post, I've reminded everyone several times that Friday at noon is the cut-off for witnesses.

Before we go, we have Mrs. Vignola.

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

During my first turn, when Ms. Hogan was here, I gave notice of a motion. I read it out in French, so that is the authoritative version. The English version can be amended or drafted to match the French. I wanted to know whether the committee agreed with compelling the production of the documents listed. As it stands, the motion does not include any meetings or anything else. It is merely about compelling the production of documents for the purposes of our examination.

Does the committee agree with the motion I read out during my first turn?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Is your intent to move the motion right now, or are you just asking if we're generally in favour, and that we pass it at the next meeting?

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

Are we ready to vote on the motion now?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Jowhari.