Evidence of meeting #1 for Health in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
January 29th, 2020 / 4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
In order to vote on these as a block, we would need the unanimous consent of the committee.
Liberal
Liberal
NDP
Liberal
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
All right. As it pertains to analysts, the motion reads:
That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
With regard to a subcommittee on agenda and procedure:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members; the Chair, one Member from each Party; and that the subcommittee work in the spirit of collaboration.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Could we ask the analysts to join us here? Thank you.
Is there any discussion?
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
With regard to reduced quorum:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government, but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Chair, I'm going to move an amendment to the reduced quorum requirement that is more reflective of the minority Parliament we're in and of the parties we have around the table. I'll explain it before I move it.
This is essentially to keep it exactly as it is, but instead of having one member of the government and one member of the opposition required for quorum, to have two members of the government and two members of the opposition.
I will move that amendment and I would be happy to speak to it if any members would like me to.
Liberal
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Perhaps, Don, you could explain your thoughts on that.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
There are four parties around the table now, as opposed to three usually. In order to have a quorum, last time it was one member from the government and one member from the opposition, and then anybody else who was there.
My concern has to do with the ability to end a meeting. I think the motion should require two members of the government and two members of the opposition to be present so that we can reduce the ability of one party to end a meeting. The fact is there are three parties over here. It is a better internal guarantee to have two people present, that is, a member from more than one party, to make it possible to keep a meeting going.
Bloc
Luc Thériault Bloc Montcalm, QC
Mr. Chair, how many times has that provision been used in recent years? Perhaps the clerk could answer that question. It was my understanding that this matter of a quorum was raised as a proposal in other committees in previous Parliaments.
Has it been used frequently or not? I would just like to know.
Liberal
Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
Mr. Chair, if I might, this isn't about committee quorum. This is about reduced quorum. I'm happy to be collaborative, but I don't think it's as big....
Do you still want to stick with the two and two with reduced quorum numbers?
The Clerk
Mr. Thériault, I was telling Mr. McKinnon, the newly elected Chair, that this motion was identical to the one passed at the beginning of the previous parliament. To be specific, however, for historical reasons and for the information of yourself and the committee, in the last minority government, the third session of the 40th Parliament, this motion simply said that the reduced quorum required at least three members, including at least one opposition member.
In a word, that meant three members in attendance, not four. Moreover, rather than specifying a government member and an opposition member, the reduced quorum simply required three members, including one from the opposition.
Bloc
The Clerk
During the last two Parliaments, at least, there was almost always a full quorum, with a majority of committee members. So the reduced quorum was rarely used.
Liberal
Marcus Powlowski Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
I'm not sure of the significance of this change. However, I think there is some significance to the fact that we start off on a co-operative note. I think it's important, if our committee is going to function well, that we try to co-operate on things. In my mind, I'm happy to go along with your motion if it's significant to you.