Procedure and House Affairs Committee on July 6th, 2020

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Unless I am mistaken, last time, we were supposed to provide our recommendations already translated. Is that still the case? I want to be sure that I fully understood.

In addition, I would like to emphasize that my recommendations are not final. In fact, if you intend to come up with something similar, we should be able to discuss it and draft a joint recommendation, that would jump over those preliminary steps.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Yes, I also recall thinking the parties needed to translate because we were under the wire. We didn't have a lot of time so we had the parties translate and submit. That's precisely what you just brought up, and precisely what I was trying to say for tomorrow's meeting.

Now that there are some recommendations that the Bloc has put forward, there might be other recommendations that people have that you'll want to combine, rather than how it was last time when we had to put like recommendations together and then we had to discuss which recommendation overlapped which portion, and then remove one. That's all I was really saying, that we could probably have some of that discussion tomorrow, if it naturally occurs and the parties feel ready to have some of that discussion. If it doesn't occur, then that's fine as well, because then we can do it after all of the recommendations are viewed and all of them are finalized by the parties.

In terms of translation, Justin, is that something we could consider this time, to have the parties translate?

[The Clerk]

If the parties were to commit to providing their draft recommendations in both official languages, meaning that it would fall to them to have the material translated before they submit it to me, it would buy a good amount of time in terms of the work that would need to be done to have the material prepared for Thursday.

However, what we end up doing is just moving the burden related to the timeline. We're just shifting it from what the committee staff needs to do to the shoulders of the members' offices in terms of getting their translation work done before they're in a position to submit their draft recommendations in both official languages.

From our perspective, from the committee staff—and again, I would defer to Andre—it would make things easier for us if by Wednesday what we received from all the members of the committee were English and French versions of their draft recommendations.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

I'm happy to do that. I think that, as we go forward tomorrow, we're going to have a better sense of what we need to do on Thursday. I don't know if we're ready to have that conversation, but it may be something that we have to have. We will have our recommendations in. Of course we have to review our recommendations within the context of what we heard today, but I'm happy to make sure that they are received on Wednesday, translated.

I also just wanted to clarify with Mr. Richards. He said that there was going to be a “powwow” and I'm wondering what that looks like, or did you mean a “meeting”?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

I think he meant, maybe, with other Conservative members? I think he meant he was going to have a powwow—

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

I have no idea what she's talking about actually. To be honest with you, I don't recall—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

I think you said something like “we have to discuss” but I think you were referring to—

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

You said you were going to have a “powwow” with your members, so I was just asking for clarification. I think you meant a meeting.

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

I don't recall the comment. Sorry I can't help you. I don't even know what I was referring to.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Okay.

It sounds like we've come to a consensus, so could all parties have their recommendations in by Wednesday at noon?

[The Clerk]

Do you want them in both languages, Madam Chair? Is that the suggestion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

It seems like Ms. Blaney is able to do that, and most are. That would be very helpful.

Mr. Richards.

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

We'll certainly do our best. I hope that we can.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Mr. Richards.

Sorry that I didn't catch the issue that you brought up, Ms. Blaney, or recall it in the same way. I should have.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Oh, don't worry. It will be in the notes and Mr. Richards can review it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

I'm sorry about that.

One other thing that we're going to have to discuss in tomorrow's meeting is Mr. Aubé's testimony that was provided in camera. The notes were circulated, and they found that a portion still had sensitive material so they just struck that out. We can discuss that when we're in camera in tomorrow's meeting. Mr. Aubé is willing to make himself available for it if there are any questions for him as to why portions are redacted and why they're considered sensitive.

Justin, do you think we could deal with that at the top of the meeting?

[The Clerk]

Yes, if that's what the committee wants to do. It would also probably make it easier for organizing Mr. Aubé's availability if this issue is dealt with right away at 11 a.m., when the meeting starts.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Yes, and there might not be many questions for him, so he might not have to be here for very long, but if there are some, at least he will be here to field them. Then we can move on to considering the draft report.

All right, thank you.

Have a good day, everyone. See you tomorrow.

The meeting is adjourned.