Evidence of meeting #1 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Thank you. I have no more speakers, so that will work very well.
(Amendment negatived)
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
The next motion has to do with reimbursing travel, accommodation, and living expenses for witnesses.
Monsieur Guimond, did you want to read it?
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Yes. It is the same motion that was moved by our colleague Mr. Lukiwski the last time and it reads as follows:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
I so move.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
We have heard the motion. Is there debate?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Proulx.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
May I read the next one? This is one we accepted last year after some debate.
I move that only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly prior to appearing before the Committee.
Liberal
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
There might be an additional point that we want to add to this. The terminology in English says “and that witnesses be advised accordingly”. We could maybe work this part to make sure that witnesses are advised accordingly prior to their appearing before the committee so that whoever comes from Winnipeg, for example, doesn't show up here with only an English document, because then it will not be tabled. So maybe we should--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Can I take your words “prior to meeting” or words to that effect, rather than the whole Winnipeg piece?
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
You might as well. But it could be anywhere else in Canada. It doesn't have to be just Winnipeg.
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, through you to the committee, I believe Mr. Proulx is moving that only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee documents and only when they exist in both languages, and that witnesses be advised accordingly prior to appearing before the committee.
Conservative
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Even though we have excellent translators, perhaps we could add a few words in the French version. At the end, we could add the following words: “et que les témoins en soient avisés au préalable“, that is prior to the meeting.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Very good. So for clarification, we have it in both languages now.
Is there any discussion on the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I would move the motion that you tabled the last time, namely that the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.
I will not add “except for sandwiches“. I'll keep that in mind.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
The chair knows your preferences.
Is there any discussion on the motion?
(Motion agreed to)