Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Jan. 26th, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Would the committee members like to suspend for a couple of minutes so we can discuss this?

Okay. We'll suspend for a few minutes so the parties can discuss this amongst themselves.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

I think we may have come to an agreement here. There's some good work going on, anyway.

What I'd like to do, to make this clear for the minutes, is to withdraw first the amendment and then the motion.

I'd ask the committee first of all if we could withdraw Mr. Richards' original amendment.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Yes, withdraw the original. I'll reread the motion that I think we all have consensus on—

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay, wait.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

All in favour?

(Amendment withdrawn [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

I think Blake was going to have—

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Now I want to withdraw the original motion. Then we'll start with a new original motion.

Is anyone opposed to withdrawing the original motion?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

I believe, Blake, you were going to withdraw your amendment and then reintroduce a new amendment.

I believe that's what was—

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

No. We're going to withdraw, though, everything we started with. We're going to just start with a new motion now.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

We thought it might be better, because it's the official opposition that is giving up that first spot, that the record would show the official opposition actually moving the amendment. That's the....

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Obviously there has been some discussion. I think everyone has agreed that we're all trying to find a way to compromise here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Just to clarify, we have withdrawn your first amendment.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Correct. I'm willing to withdraw, yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Now you're going to propose a different amendment.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Sure.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Based on the discussions we've all had, I think all parties seem to have an agreement here that we can proceed with the following: in round one, all slots would be seven-minute slots, with the order being Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Liberal; in round two, the first four slots would all be five-minute slots, and the order would be Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Liberal; the fifth slot would remain a three-minute slot, and it would be an NDP slot.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Does everyone understand? Is there any discussion on the amendment?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Now we'll vote on the amended motion, which is basically the same thing.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Thank you for your co-operation. I think there's been some excellent work so far. That's why I came to Parliament, to have rational debate in committee and to move things forward in a thoughtful way.

We'll go on to the next motion, which is document distribution.

Ruby.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

I'd like to move the next matter regarding document distribution. I move:

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly prior to appearing before the Committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

Next is working meals.

Does someone want to move that?

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

In the interest of recognizing that it is lunchtime, I'll move number seven on working meals. I move:

That the clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Next is a motion related to travel, accommodation, living expenses, and witnesses. Would anyone like to make a motion on that?

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

I so move:

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Is there any debate?

(Motion agreed to)

Next is access to in camera meetings.

[Arnold Chan, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Chair, I know that Mr. Christopherson had wanted to make an amendment. Could I suggest that we move to item 11 first, dispense with it immediately, and then we can come back to your point?