Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 24th, 2011

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

When would you suggest tomorrow, sir?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

After question period, in that 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. period of time, we could present a report.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

That's what I would suggest. It's nice that you find my life funny, but it hasn't really been in the last week or so.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

I would table a motion to say that we should reconvene this afternoon after question period. There are other members in your party, I'm sure.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Do we let them come in and let them do all this after...?

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Maybe they should have accelerated this topic when we first started the meeting. We need to do this report by tomorrow. We can't just keep an hour tomorrow, because you know very well what's going to happen. We like so much to discuss between ourselves that we will forget the deadline and we won't reach an agreement.

I think we should reconvene this afternoon after question period, maybe for just an hour, if you want, and then make sure that if we need to, we can come back here tomorrow morning at eight o'clock or nine o'clock.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I have a motion from Mr. Proulx on the floor. I think I have Monsieur Paquette on it.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

I am fully supportive of Mr. Proulx's motion, particularly since routine proceedings immediately follow oral question period. That is when we should table our report.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Lukiwski, you are next on the motion by Mr. Proulx.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

We're talking about a potential motion of contempt, or a finding of contempt for a minister of the crown. Clearly, that's serious.

I have been part of this discussion since this onset. I honestly do not feel, Mr. Chair, that it would be fair--if there is such a thing as fairness on this committee--to have these discussions without the members who have been part of the committee hearings of last week present. I personally cannot. I scheduled my time. We know what's going to happen tomorrow, and my time today is pretty well booked. I am not available at three o'clock, and I would certainly like to take part in these discussions. I've been certainly part of the discussion since the onset. Just because the opposition wants to perhaps meet at three o'clock doesn't mean it's something that we need to do. I think it's imperative that we have all of the members who have been part of this whole discussion for the last several weeks, and particularly the ones who were on committee last week, when we heard direct testimony, be here to draft this report. I think it would be highly unfair to just say, well, give it to a member who has no knowledge of the testimony, wasn't part of the testimony, and just have him sit here and rubber-stamp this. I don't think that's fair and I don't think that's right.

I would very much argue against coming back unless we had the approval of all members.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you.

Mr. Armstrong, on that motion.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

I was on the committee for three days last week, and I heard a lot of testimony. There were many committee members who sat and listened to a lot of testimony. I don't know how people who were not here during that time can come and participate in an effective way. This is a report that may lead to a contempt charge. We've heard time and time again that this is an historic thing that would happen in the 40th Parliament of Canada.

I don't see how people who did not hear the testimony, who did not hear the expert testimony as well as the testimony that was given by the minister, and heard the questions and answers provided by the minister and by all members of that committee could effectively, in any way, manage to participate in the writing of this report. I can't see someone coming in without having that background, without having that personal knowledge of what was said by not only the minister but the experts before as well as the committee members. If they had time to possibly read the blues and prepare themselves for a couple of days, someone might be able to educate themselves enough where they can participate effectively.

To meet again this afternoon, when many members of this committee have other duties, without providing any time for any of the new members to prepare themselves, to develop a knowledge of what was said and what went on.... It is absolutely impossible to participate effectively and create a report that has any relevance to what was actually said at the committee.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Mr. Laframboise, you are next on my list.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

As you know, Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs is the most important committee in the House of Commons. After the Speaker of the House of Commons, you are the most important committee chair. I see no reason why others could not participate in the debate. All members of Parliament are…

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I see it is one o'clock.

We will reconvene tomorrow at the call of the chair.

We are adjourned.