Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 8th, 2012

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Semi-seriously, have you ever collected $4?

[Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Commons]

A certain visitor to my backroom once in a while owes me more than $4.

Mr. Chair, I guess almost two years ago, after several incidents we had in the galleries, the board decided that we should proceed with obstruction charges for those people who make disturbances in the galleries. Since that time it's been our practice to turn these people over to the Ottawa city police. They then face charges under the Trespass to Property Act. They have been getting fines in the smaller range of $75 to $100; as well, they're not allowed to come to the Hill for more than a year.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

But we're out our $4 is what you're saying.

Mr. Speaker, did you have anything to add to that?

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

No, no.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Okay, great.

Is there anyone else? Go ahead, Mr. Zimmer, on a one-off.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

I have a quick one with regard to the increasing cost of travel points. We've heard some talk about travel passes and stuff like that, but the cost has been borne off personal credit cards and those sorts of things. From your perspective, is there a move now to accommodate that in other ways, so that the funding comes directly from the House? When is that coming? When will it be available?

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

I can't give you a “when”, but I can tell you that this discussion has come up at the board. We are very cognizant of the fact that for many members, especially the further away you go, the more the flight passes cost, so the House of Commons financial team is looking at a way to.... When the details on flight passes come out, I think it's safe to say that there will be an explanation about how to facilitate the process for our members so that they aren't carrying several thousands of dollars in costs for some time.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Is there even an estimated time when that will be forthcoming? Is it a year from now, or two years, or...how soon?

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

I don't know if.... I'm told it's within a month.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

It's within a month. That's what we're looking for. Good. Awesome.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Excellent. It's always great to make the members feel happy.

Are there any other questions for our witnesses today?

Then I thank you for being here. Thank you for such a great explanation at the beginning. The questions came very softly today. It was very good, except for that whole apartment thing. We're going to check into that.

I thank you for coming. If there's anything we've asked that you have not been able to answer, please forward the information to us and we'll be able to share that with the committee.

Thank you very much.

Is there anything else for the good of the committee today?

Then the meeting is adjourned.