Evidence of meeting #122 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Legislative Clerk
It was distributed Tuesday, I believe. It is the final one
Conservative
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
Hopefully we can start with those kinds of chats to find ways of.... We all know when it's going to leave here. It will be out of here at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, plus however much time it takes to go through calling a vote on each one. Obviously, getting as much of that done prior to 1:00 p.m. on Friday as opposed to afterwards would be beneficial to everybody. It's not going to affect the actual outcome on anything; it's just going to affect whether people get home to see their families. That's why I make that point.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
I have a couple more things.
First of all, I'd like to thank the committee for getting this far. How we vote in Canada is very important. In any country in the world, it's very important. The committee has done over a year of very good, positive, professional deliberations, by and large. Even when there are different opinions, people have been very professional and have put good ideas on the table. I think every party is going to add something positive to make this a good package.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
On the record I'd like to thank Elections Canada, who have been a big part of this with good suggestions to help guide us.
We should have a brief discussion on the times people would like to meet next week. Obviously, we're going to meet every day.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Sorry, the week after next we're going to meet every day up until Friday, and probably in the morning and after QP.
Is there any direction, especially from the opposition?
There are a lot of amendments, as everyone knows. For the good of Canada and the good of intellectuals, try to think of which ones are insignificant so that we can, as Mr. Cullen said, have a good debate on those that are significant. Pick your battles and I'll be judicious with the time. I'll allow more time on those things that are really important, but I won't allow them to run on forever so that everything can be discussed a bit.
About the timing for next week, particularly from the opposition, do you have any suggestions for how long you would like to meet, and the rough time slots, so that people can prepare for the schedule?
Mr. Cullen.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I've noticed in committees that we do it all the time where we have extended long hours. Productivity and intelligence usually go down together when we get beyond six hours or eight hours a day, in my experience. Others might have more fortitude than I do. Not for a general debate with committee, but I've traded away a lot of House duties in the last couple of weeks, and they're all coming in the week when we return, so that's a thing, but that's me.
Monday is good. I'm prepared for a good long stretch on Monday. Tuesday afternoon is a problem. On Wednesday, of course, we have caucus. On Wednesday afternoon we're hanging Mr. Scheer, so that's something.... His portrait is being hung.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
It's gallows humour. That's what they call it. They call it a hanging.
Conservative
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Never.
It's happening right upstairs. I have to be at that for a different reason.
Thursday is bad, and on Friday, of course, everyone is going to be panicked.
Not to have a big debate around it, but it's going to mean a lot of juggling. Mornings are typically better. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is always a better slot.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Could I hear from the Conservatives on this?
Do you have some preferences? I know you have a lot of amendments.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
The times that are being suggested by our team are Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. or 9 p.m.
I'm not sure why we would be contrary to Monday morning....
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Oh, excuse me. Yes, of course, it has to come after the minister. That's true. It's laid out in the motion we just passed.
Then, potentially, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11:45, and then 3:30 to 7—
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
No, in the morning. Excuse me for not clarifying. Then it's 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Do you need me to repeat that?
