Human Resources Committee on Nov. 14th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

The next one I have here, which is something I believe we've talked about before, is time for opening remarks and questioning of witnesses. You have there on the left of one page the way it was dealt with before. What has been dealt with in other committees is that witnesses be given 10 minutes for an opening statement, which is the way it has worked, and then that the first questioner be allowed seven minutes. The suggestion here is that the additional rounds be five minutes split between the government and opposition. That is what happens at some of the committees. That is not the way we have done it in the past. That is a suggestion.

Can I have any comments on that?

Ruby.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Sorry, I know we've already dealt with one of the previous motions, but if we can just go back to it for....

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Which one? Receiving evidence?

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

In regard to the chair being authorized to hold meetings.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Okay.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

I have a question. What happens if the chair doesn't show up and all of the other members are here?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I would assume the vice-chair would be there.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Should we add that in?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

If you would like to add the chair or the vice-chair, sure, most definitely.

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We're going to amend that. Is that okay with...?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

It was mainly for travel, was it not?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

It was mainly for travel, but let's just go back then. The amendment is that the chair or vice-chair be authorized.... Are we okay with that?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I know this was an issue, the question of witnesses. Are there any comments right now?

Yes, Mr. Martin.

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

I didn't quite understand what you had suggested and I didn't see it as an issue. I thought it worked quite well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

You wouldn't, because you got to respond three times before the government even got to respond twice. Why would you think it was an issue? It worked very well for you guys. It wasn't fair, though.

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

No, I thought it was fair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Of course you would. It was fair for you. It wasn't fair for anybody else.

[Tony Martin, NDP, Sault Ste. Marie, ON]

Everybody else thought it was fair and that it was an okay thing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

No, I don't believe that was the case. That's why we're discussing it right now.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

We did that in the last session just to....

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Just a second, I'm going to have you on the list.

I have Mr. Lessard, followed by Ms. Yelich and Mr. Lake, and then back to Mr. Martin.

Go ahead, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

What's there is exactly what we did the last time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

That is correct.