Evidence of meeting #20 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Bosc.
Mr. Smith, you sound like you're against any kinds of changes. I don't know if that's what you mean to come across saying.
Freelance Journalist and Author, As an Individual
I've been accused of that; so be it.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
So you're comfortable with saying....
For example, now we allow mother MPs to bring their infant children to the chamber. Are you against that?
Freelance Journalist and Author, As an Individual
That has nothing to do with what we're discussing or the operation of Parliament.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
We're just talking about changes. There are, for example, e-petitions now. Canadians are able to submit e-petitions on line. Are you against that?
Freelance Journalist and Author, As an Individual
I'm more opposed to the notion that e-petitions would trigger debates.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
The point here that I want to make is that we're looking at these exceptional circumstances and that we have no choice, I feel. If we want to respect the MP's privilege, and the MP is unable to travel, but he or she still has the responsibility to represent their constituents, don't you think we must offer an option for an MP to vote remotely?
Freelance Journalist and Author, As an Individual
That's not for me to say. My concern is that, once you open Pandora's box, you can't put what escapes back into it.
Lawyer and Chief Executive Officer, Deveaux International Governance Consultants Inc.
I think my original statement was that virtual voting is not necessarily required in a hybrid Parliament. I think the proxy voting, the block voting, and then allowing dissent and recording that in another manner can work as an alternative. I don't think you necessarily need virtual voting.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
So how would you record dissent? Isn't that voting? What if an MP says, “Block voting infringes on my privilege; I want my vote to be counted independently”?
Lawyer and Chief Executive Officer, Deveaux International Governance Consultants Inc.
In other parliaments in the Commonwealth that have this, you originally go around and ask the parties how many votes they have. If that adds up to the total number of votes in Parliament, then that's the final answer. If there are votes missing because the party had certain people dissenting, you can then ask those people whether or not they want to vote.
Now, is that virtual voting if you have five members on Zoom who say they're voting differently? I suppose it is, but it's not the same as having all 338 members voting.
Liberal
Omar Alghabra Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Right. Again, I think we're agreeing there. We need to have the option.
Liberal
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have just one question, and I'd like to hear from any of the witnesses who care to respond. I'm going to preface it quickly, though.
The witnesses have talked a lot about their reluctance around any permanent changes. I, too, wish to point out that we are in a unique situation, and we are trying to fix a problem. All of us want to return to Parliament Hill, but some of my colleagues can't for health or other reasons.
Witnesses also talked about electronic voting—seeing as that falls within our current study—and the fact that it prevents personal interaction and discussions with members from other parties. I've heard little, however, in the way of tangible solutions in the current circumstances. I'd like to know where the witnesses stand on that front. Something to consider is the fact that the House leader meetings, which usually take place on Tuesdays, have all been cancelled. They provide an excellent opportunity for dialogue. I'd like to hear recommendations on how to improve the current situation, which we all have to deal with.
Former Acting Clerk of the House of Commons, As an Individual
I think the meetings of the House leaders could resume. There is nothing that would prevent them from taking place.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
That could be one of the recommendations resulting from our study, could it not?
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Blaikie or Mr. Deveaux, do you have a recommendation for us?
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, As an Individual
Go ahead, Kevin.
Lawyer and Chief Executive Officer, Deveaux International Governance Consultants Inc.
I would go back to my point around the business committee. It's a temporary measure that can be brought in from other Commonwealth examples and that has worked. It can be used as a way of ensuring that dialogue, at least to some extent, is available. I would encourage you to think about that as an option.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, As an Individual
I would just echo what Marc Bosc said. There's nothing to prevent House leaders from meeting virtually on Tuesday, like they always do. The committee could recommend that or House leaders could take that up amongst themselves.
