Evidence of meeting #1 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 41st 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
All right, so that defines it better. I'm okay with that.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Next is travel, accommodation, and living expenses of witnesses.
So moved as written, Mr. MacKenzie? Thank you.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Great. Next is document distribution.
So moved as written.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Next is working meals. Is there any discussion on that?
We do have our meetings over lunchtime. We found it quite handy for the rest of the members to be able to eat while we're actually getting the meeting done.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Transcripts of in camera meetings: that one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Mr. Chair, I have a question relating back to the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. We didn't discuss the issue of quorum and the attendance of staff accompanying those members. I'm wondering if that needs to be clarified within the procedures or if that's something we just agree on informally.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
You're looking for a quorum rule on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure?
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
I'm asking the question. It seems to me that we should have at least three members present for the subcommittee to proceed, and that each member be allowed to have a staff member with them.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
I'm all right with all of those additions.
Is there discussion on those additions?
Ms. Charlton.
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
The principles are similar to those for the other motion.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Are we okay with those changes? Do we need a vote on them, or can we just refer back to them?
Conservative
Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
For in camera meetings we often allow one House staff person to be there in addition to the staff of the MP. I'm just wondering if that should be included as well for procedure and House affairs for the agenda.
Conservative
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
I think what Harold is getting at--and I agree with it--is that in addition to each MP having a staff member, each party should be allowed to have a staff member. If there's a representative from either the whip's office or the House leader's office for each of the parties, they should be allowed to be there in addition to the MPs' personal staff.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
If you look at the document called “Principal Routine Motions”, “access to in camera meetings” is at the top of the second page. It says:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office or from their party at in camera meetings.
Are you suggesting some modification to that?
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
I am. Rather than saying “or from their party”, it would say “in addition to”. In other words, every MP can have a staff member of their own plus each party can have a staff member represent their party.
Conservative
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
That's from the whip's office, House leader's office, or whatever.
