Evidence of meeting #84 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ballot.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Great. Thank you.
I'll move on to Madame Latendresse for two minutes—
NDP
Craig Scott NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON
Great. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, for the sake of completeness, I guess, this is more a question of whether you can assuage the concerns of the House of Commons protective services employees association. In their brief this morning to the public security committee, they said that the association “is concerned that the [budget implementation bill] does not uphold the commitment made by the Speaker of the House in his motion”—they say motion, but it was your statement—“of February 25, 2015...guaranteeing the employment of all employees of the House’s Protective Services”. They're worried that the bill does not reflect that clear commitment that you made.
I'm just wondering if you have any comments to add.
Conservative
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
As you pointed out, it wasn't a statement that I made. It was a motion passed by the House instructing me to carry out a certain course of action, which I respected, as did Speaker Housakos.
I think you will appreciate that I don't want to be drawn into a debate about a bill before the House. That would be a difficult position for me to be in. I can only assure you and assure members of the House of Commons security detail that every person who has worked on this file since October 22, and indeed February 25, is focused on all parts of that motion: enhanced security under the direction of the RCMP, protecting rights and privileges of members of Parliament in the House, and the employees. Every conversation we have about how best to implement the new system contains that.
We are working in a very cooperative fashion, I have to say. I think it would be fair of me to say that Commissioner Paulson understands this. The RCMP understand it. The individual constables understand it. We're currently working toward a model that respects all those aspects of that motion.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
I think we'll end it there. We're close enough.
We do thank you for coming and for staying a little longer with us today. I know that oftentimes, certainly with bells, we cause ourselves a fair bit of grief at committee, but we thank you for being flexible and coming—
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
With you, Mr. Lamoureux, I know it's impossible to ask a quick question, but I love you dearly.
Thank you for coming today and thank you for sharing with us. Thank you for sharing with us on main estimates. It's an important role of committees to look at estimates.
Conservative
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
It's my pleasure to be here.
Mr. Chair, we had the opportunity to chat last night, and I know you're not presenting in the next election, not running again. I just want to say what a pleasure it has been for me, as Speaker, to work with you in your position as chair of this committee. This is probably the committee that the Speaker deals with most, and I want to thank you for your service to this committee and to the House itself.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Thank you and I thank you for last night. It was very good.
Mr. Scott.
NDP
Craig Scott NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON
On behalf of the official opposition, especially with so many gathered, which is not that frequent a case with PROC, we would like to thank you for your service. You've been a stellar chair. I don't think anybody here would disagree with that. We wish you well in the future.
Thank you.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Just for the record, Mr. Chair, we're going to wait for a more appropriate time; perhaps your last meeting.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
I was going to say, attending your own funeral has been really tough around here.
Thank you very much.
We are adjourned.
