[Inaudible—Editor]
Evidence of meeting #68 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 point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #68 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 point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:45 a.m.
An hon. member
[Inaudible—Editor]
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
11:50 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
The main reason we're asking parliamentary secretaries to not be on committees—
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
—in the Standing Orders. They're not voting on it.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
They haven't voted this. It's in the Standing Orders.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
As far as I know I have the floor, so why is his microphone on?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
. Mr. Christopherson, you're on a point of order, so is there a specific rule—
11:50 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Yes, I'm asking what role Mr. Fillmore is playing, given that the government is suggesting that the parliamentary secretaries don't play a big role and he doesn't vote and yet there he is, sitting there right beside Mr. Bittle where he can lean into his ear and tell him exactly how he should be voting.
I'm just asking for some clarification. Are the parliamentary secretaries running this show or not? If they aren't, why are they playing such a role in terms of how they're even setting up the structure of the committee?
Nothing personal, Mr. Fillmore, it's strictly the position.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
There is nothing in the rules about where people sit, so are you making anything else in the point of order?
11:50 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I was seeking some guidance from the government as to what role Mr. Fillmore is going to play, since they suggest parliamentary secretaries are not playing a big role and yet there he is in the second-in-command seat, so I'm just seeking some guidance from the government as to what's going on?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
This isn't a warship. There is no second-in-command seat. What you're talking about is you're trying to bring up a point of order based on the rules by which.... They're not voting. That's the way the Standing Orders go. I think we should dispense with this and get on with the agenda.
The parties across the way will talk about the fact that we're delaying the agenda. We want to get on with it for the record today.
11:50 a.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Scotty, you're good at talking. Explain to me what role Mr. Fillmore plays and how this is a positive addition, especially in light of the promise you made not to have parliamentary secretaries on the committee?
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
He is a member, pursuant to the standing order, without any voting. He just indicated earlier what the promise was and fulfilled.
I actually fell into your little trap and started debating with you. Congratulations—
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
I think it's worth debating because of the fact that they're upholding what they said that we would do and the Standing Orders reflect it. Your point of order, sir, is about the standing order that we are upholding right now.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
We're going to suspend briefly so we will into camera to go on to the next item, which is committee business.
Anyone who is not supposed to be in the room should leave now that we're going in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]