Evidence of meeting #45 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 champion.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Yes, it's just the second half, avoiding long blocks of consecutive sitting weeks. I make no promise that I can do it, but let's try to avoid it.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
David is the champion.
Topic 4, parliamentary calendar (tabling): require the Speaker to table the sitting calendar in June prior to the summer adjournment.
Right now it comes in the fall.
Ginette will champion that.
I think the committee was quite favourable to it. We discussed this once, and we were quite favourable to that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Yes, it was so people could plan things.
Topic 5, private members' business (Fridays): increase the amount of time set aside for private members' business on Fridays.
Mr. Davies will champion that.
Topic 6, prorogation: study the rules and usage of prorogation.
Mr. Davies...we have about three people to champion that.
Topic 7, sitting week schedule (a proposal): the following was proposed during the take-note debate as a schedule for the sitting week: set aside Monday and Wednesday for committee work; on Tuesday and Thursday, the House sits from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; hold all recorded divisions following question period on Tuesdays; set aside Thursdays for consideration of private members' business and opposition days; question period would be held each day, Monday to Friday.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Is that even the days the House isn't sitting?
I'm not going to take this one.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Are there no champions for this?
Okay.
We're into table 12, which is on the election of the speaker. There are three items.
Topic 1, acclamation: amend Standing Order 4 to include a provision for instances when only one candidate seeks election as Speaker.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I'll take that one. The reason is that when Peter Milliken was re-elected as Speaker, he was acclaimed. I remember watching on TV and seeing Bill Blaikie getting up as the dean of the House to say that there was no process to deal with it so he hoped there would be unanimous consent. But what if somebody had said no? Let's fix that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Topic 2, election of Deputy Speaker and Assistant Deputy Speakers: provide a formal process or guidelines for electing the Deputy Speaker and Assistant Deputy Speakers; ensure each party has a chair occupant.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Mr. Davies is the champion.
Topic 3, wording issues: clarify or reword Standing Order 7(1.1) regarding putting the question forthwith on a motion to elect the Deputy Speaker, 7(2) regarding the language knowledge of the Deputy Speaker, and 7(3) regarding the term of office of the Deputy Speaker and the provision for a vacancy in that office.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I'll take that one. That's from my speech also. I read Standing Order 7 and found it utterly convoluted. I wouldn't mind making it a little bit more English.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Okay.
We're going on to table 13, the Speaker's role, powers and duties. This has 10 items.
Topic 1, dress code: Include in the Standing Orders a dress code for members.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
It's already in House of Commons Procedure and Practice.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
The dress code for members is that you wear contemporary business attire. That is the dress code.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
For men, it's a jacket and tie, but for women included, it's contemporary business attire.
Liberal
Arnold Chan Liberal Scarborough—Agincourt, ON
Or historical costume consistent with your ethnocultural background.
