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

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

No.

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

Then he'd have to start coming more than one day a week.

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

Question period is only 15 minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

We're on number 11 now.

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

What I'm saying is, if no one championed it, then he'll actually have to start coming more than one day a week.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Are you asking about number 10, Blake?

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

Well, I was just asking if anyone had championed it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay.

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

I'm not championing it because I think he does that now and he should be coming more often.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Can we just champion number 11?

Topic 12 is on the respondent: allow the questioner to designate which minister or parliamentary secretary will respond to the question.

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

I want to address that very quickly. You can't do that because then you'd be referring to who is present or not present in the House, which is against the rules and I think it should stay that way.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Mr. Davies.

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

I'll champion that. I don't think it means that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay, that was championed.

Topic 13, timing of statements by members: move statements by members to the time for adjournment proceedings (late show). Hold adjournment proceedings immediately after question period, rename it, and have ministers respond to questions instead of parliamentary secretaries.

Is there no champion?

Topic 14, urgency of questions: examine utility of Standing Order 37(1), which provides that non-urgent questions can be directed by the Speaker to be placed on the Order Paper.

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

That came from my speech, but I won't defend it at this point. My question in the speech was, it's there and why aren't we using it? It's just too political, so forget it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

It's not defended.

Now we're on table 9 regarding recorded divisions. There are three recommendations here.

Topic 1, electronic voting or status quo: study electronic voting systems with a view of implementing a process for electronic voting, e.g., members vote using secure iPads. Other members expressed their preference for the status quo.

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

I'll put down electronic voting. It'll be fun.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

If you hadn't, I would have.

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

Can the chair take it on? I guess so.

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

Given where he's from, of course.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Topic 2, proxy voting: devise a system to allow members to vote by proxy, e.g. allow members caring for an infant to vote from the lobby.

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

Family friendly.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

I'll champion that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Okay.

Topic 3, timing of recorded divisions: suggestions regarding the timing of recorded divisions included: prohibit recorded divisions after noon on Friday; prohibit votes on Monday, Thursday and Friday; hold recorded divisions on specific days of the week, e.g. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, like in Sweden; and hold recorded divisions immediately following question period.

Is there a champion?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Yes, sure.