Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Dec. 8th, 2016

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

Returning members would retain their current spot on the list if they return, assuming they get re-elected, followed by people who have been added to the list, such as people who left cabinet between elections, followed by new members on a new random draw. Once you have your spot, you have it until you get your bill, however long it takes. Right now, we have members who have been here for five terms who have never had a PMB, and other members come in and the first week out they'll have one. I don't think that's right. I think everybody should get an equal shot at this.

That's why I'll defend that one. Number seven is mine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay, topic 8 is on a random draw held for members who have a bill or motion ready.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Chair, on a point of order, what happened with number six? Was it deleted?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Anita.

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

Just to keep it alive.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

You can assume that by default, if there is nothing.

Topic 8 is regarding a random draw held for members who have a bill or motion ready: when the list for consideration of private members' business is first established, give priority on the order of precedence to members who have introduced a bill or have a motion on notice.

There is no champion for that.

Topic 9, trading on the list: allow for trading between members on the list for consideration of private members' business.

Are you championing this, Arnold?

Okay.

We're on table 8 now regarding question period and statements by members. There are 14 items that came up in debate here.

Topic 1 is on applause: prohibit applause by members during question period.

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

Everyone's going to hate me, but I'm taking this one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Anita.

Topic 2 is regarding answers: give the Speaker the power to judge the quality and substance of an answer, e.g., an answer must relate to the question.

Mr. Davies.

Topic 3 is on Deputy Speaker: position a second chair occupant at the opposite end of the chamber during question period.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Like the NHL, with two referees.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Mr. Davies, are you championing that? Okay.

Topic 4 is on government members: only permit questions from government members that pertain to their constituents.

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

If anything pertains to his constituents.

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

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

No one's championing that? Okay.

Topic 5 is on reading text.

Mr. Lukiwski.

Topic 5 is on reading text: prohibit members from reading answers or questions.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

I've never done it in twelve and a half years, and I firmly believe that this would be a great change in Parliament, a very positive change, so I would gladly champion that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Well, it used to be like that, from what—

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

We used to have note cards, and not whole sheets, and podiums for Hansard.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Topic 6 is on the length of questions and answers: extend the length of time provided for both questions and answers, and also extend the time period for question period.

Mr. Davies.

Topic 7 is on the list for recognizing speakers: limit or cease the practice of using a list provided to the Speaker by parties to determine who speaks next, provided the Speaker recognizes members in an equitable rotation.

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

I'll take it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Anita.

Topic 8 is on non-partisan statements by members: restrict the use of statements by members to non-partisan statements and statements of interest and concern to constituents.

Is there no champion?

Topic 9 is on notice of questions.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

May I ask a question on that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Yes.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

That's relating to Standing Order 31, I think. Isn't there already some loose rule about the usage of them?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

If there is, it's not working.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Yes, that's true.

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

I think what you're referring to is the rule that you can't use it to attack another member of the House. I think that was done in the last Parliament, right?