Health Committee on June 15th, 2011

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

You could always ask for unanimous consent that it be done. The challenge is that sometimes we have members whose first official language, for example, is French. It would be unfair if witnesses distributed articles to English members and our francophone colleagues weren't able to understand those documents. It might change how they viewed the evidence brought forth. I think it should be made quite clear. The clerk in the past has made it quite clear that any documents that are going to be presented to this committee recognize that Canada has two official languages and that the information be presented to this committee in both official languages.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Dr. Fry.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

I understand the intent of the motion, and I agree completely with the intent of the motion. I'm not talking about witnesses bringing in documents. I'm saying that sometimes, for the edification and knowledge of the committee, the Library of Parliament may suggest we read certain things to help us better understand an issue. These will come out of a journal, not from a witness who brings them in, as part of our supporting documentation. Sometimes these can be very long documents, and having them translated could hold things up.

I think the chair suggested we do this on a case-by-case basis. I'm happy with that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

That's okay if we can get unanimous consent.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

If we think it's really an extraordinary amount and we won't get it for four weeks because the translation people have too many things on their plate at that time, that might be a thought, then. I'm prepared to accept case by case.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Okay, so it's case by case, with unanimous consent of the committee, so no one feels excluded. Is that agreeable to the committee? All in favour? No?

Ms. Davies.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

I have another question on the distribution of documents. I wanted to ask why the parliamentary secretary is including motions specifically. Is there some reason for doing that? I'm just trying to think what that means. I know we'll be dealing with another motion about notices of motion in number 9. But I don't know if, informally, motions are looked at that don't necessarily go through the clerk. I just wondered why you are specifically zeroing in on motions in terms of whatever distribution takes place.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Dr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

In the past, sometimes members have just written out a motion and kind of presented it as they have gone along. And that's not necessarily fair to people who don't speak the other official language. Sometimes, as you know, in French and English there are subtle differences.

We want to make sure that practice doesn't become a regular thing in the committee, so we're very clear that any of these motions should be brought forward in both official languages, unless, of course, there is unanimous consent that we could....

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

There could be unanimous consent.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Just for further clarification, then, this is actually dealing with distribution of motions. Number 9 deals with notice of motions. I hope you don't mind me raising that, because it's relevant to what you're saying. It's recommended here that there be 48 hours' notice unless the motion relates directly to business under consideration. In most committees I've been on, if you're in a debate, if you're looking at a bill, if you're looking at an issue, you have the ability to move a motion right then and there. Sometimes there's a bit of back and forth about the translation, but basically it doesn't remove the right of a member during the discussion of a subject. So I just want to be clear that what you are suggesting in number 4 doesn't then preclude a member, when a subject is under discussion or a bill is under discussion, from moving a motion right here in the committee.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

No, you can always do that.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Okay, as long as we have that understanding--

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Is there any further discussion on this?

Dr. Carrie, do you want to reiterate the motion so that everyone is perfectly clear on what we're approaching here, on number 4, distribution of documents?

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Yes. It is that only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents that are to be distributed amongst the committee members be in both official languages. The clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

Thank you.

Number 5 is on working meals: that the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

This motion was adopted by the committee at the last session.

Dr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

I have a recommendation, Madam Chair. As you remember, last time we did meet over lunch. We did have things brought in, because that was the only chance members would have to eat. But now we're not, so I was going to recommend that the committee hereby authorize the clerk of the committee, in consultation with you, the chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals as they may be required and that the cost of these meals be charged to the committee budget. This would also mean that if we decided to add meetings and things like that, you would be able to provide that for the members.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

I would just remind everybody that meetings are going to be from 3:30 to 5:30. Perhaps we could add coffee and tea toward the end of the day. I know some of you really like your cup of coffee or some cheese and crackers or something. I don't know how you feel about that. But this did come up last time. Could we have some agreement on that?

Dr. Fry.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

I'm not trying to be cute, but I would like to add something that says, “and, given the nature of this committee, that those meals be balanced and nutritious”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Of course!

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

They're not always. Tons of cookies can come through with these meals, and a lot of bread, and a lot of....

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Can we leave that at the discretion of the clerk, to make sure it's as healthy as possible? Great.

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

“Balanced”. I like that word.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

“Balanced”. There we go.

Go ahead.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Mariane Beaudin]

And “taking into account availability”?