Evidence of meeting #34 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was supply.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Has the process that we're using here to change the standing order been used to change other standing orders?
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
We're not really changing it, because we just recommend to the House. We make a report, and then the House will proceed from there. The committee has the power to study and report to the House.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Okay. The decision comes back to the House on whether to accept the recommendation.
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
Exactly.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Again, have we looked at this committee doing changes such as this to different standing orders through this process?
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
My history with this committee is relatively short. Since I've been with the committee, I don't think they've done a report to the House to do changes to standing orders, but it certainly is within our mandate to do so. Under the mandate in Standing Order 108(3), it says that we deal with all issues relating to standing orders of the House. I can cite it for you here, if you like, but it definitely is within our mandate to study standing orders and make recommendations for modifications to them.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
Sure. Standing Order 108(3)(a)(iii) reads: “the review of and report on the Standing Orders, procedure and practice in the House and its committees”.
It's a very broad mandate. We have several under the Standing Orders, but that is one of them.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
As far as that process goes, then, there is nothing improper that you see in the process.
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
As I said, the committee can study it and report to the House, but it's the House that would decide on whether they adopt it or concur in our report.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
I think the House would assume that the committee would do appropriate study on it, then, would it not? It wouldn't just bring forward a motion as major as this and then not proceed with some sort of study.
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
That's for the committee and the House to decide.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
How do we move forward on a motion like this when we are not able to get an appropriate study?
11:30 a.m.
The Clerk
Once again, it's for the committee to decide.
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
11:30 a.m.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Just to follow up on Mr. Hoback's comments--which I concur with--as I've said before, at the very least we should have a witness or two come forward just to speak with us on procedures and to guide and help us. Therefore, I would make a motion, if that's in order, to amend this motion before us. Basically, I move that the procedure and house affairs committee engage in a study to determine whether this committee should make a recommendation to the House, etc.
In other words, the amendment is to allow the committee to call witnesses forward. I don't think there need to be a lot of witnesses, frankly, because we know the issue here. I certainly agree with that, and I'm not trying to be adversarial when I say that witnesses would be helpful. I'm not trying to delay this and I'm not trying to obfuscate, but to an extent this was sprung on us. Randy's new to the committee and so is Rob. If we had at least an amendment to this motion that suggested we engage in a study.... Even if we put time limits on it, at least allow us to call a witness or two.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
That is a motion to amend.
Do you need that in clear language? Are you okay with what Mr. Lukiwski has said? You're okay?
We're now debating the amendment. I'll call your name on the old witness list; if you don't want to speak to the amendment, we'll start one on the amendment, but I think most would want to stay on.
I have Mr. Albrecht next on my witness list--I mean, my speaking list.
11:35 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Go sit down there and talk.
I have Mr. Albrecht, Mr. Weston, Mr. Bagnell, Madam DeBellefeuille, Mr. Reid, and Madam Foote on my list.
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON
I have a point of order.
Could I actually get the exact wording as the clerk has written it down, just to make sure I understand it?
11:35 a.m.
Conservative
11:35 a.m.
The Clerk
I haven't written it down yet, but--