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.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Okay. That was topic 16, David.
Topic 17, physical layout of seating in the chamber: consider alternatives to the current adversarial seating arrangement.
In places like Sweden, and the House of Representatives in the United States, the seating is in a semi-circle, so you're all facing the Speaker. You're all attacking the same problem for your country together, as opposed to ours, which is confrontational across the floor.
That's what this topic is about.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
[Inaudible—Editor] because sometimes a party sits on the government side, whereas when it's in the minority, it's the other way around.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
[Inaudible—Editor] when the new Centre Block is done?
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
[Technical difficulty—Editor]
Mr. Davies. Okay, good.
Remind me, Anita, to make a comment on the new Centre Block when we finish the end of this list.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Topic 18, recognized parties in the House: allow parties with fewer than 12 members to be recognized; increase their resources and allocate them committee seats.
12:10 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
No one did that one yet.
Topic 19 is seats in the chamber: change the design of the seats in the chamber, e.g. the seats in the chamber have the tendency of ripping suit pockets.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Having ripped six pockets since the last election, I will defend this.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Are you talking about your suit pockets or your pants pocket?
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
The pants.
It has not happened since I gave the speech, so I clearly learned my lesson.
12:10 p.m.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Thank you, Don.
Everybody except Scott Reid has had it happen once.
December 8th, 2016 / 12:10 p.m.
Liberal
