Human Resources Committee on Nov. 19th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We'll now move to routine motions:

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization.

Can I have someone to move that, please?

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I so move.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We'll move down to the next one:

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I so move.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

The next is as follows:

That the Committee authorize the Chair, in consultation with the Clerk, to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals from time to time, and that the cost of those meals be charged to the Committee's budget.

So moved by Ms. Dhalla.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

This is the last one on this page:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I have an issue with that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Ms. Yelich.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I'd like to add “In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member at in camera meetings”. That's an addition.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

You're moving that it contain what is already in the motion, plus that each party be allowed to have one staff member. Is there a reason for that?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

At in camera meetings. It was suggested that each party have an extra staff member.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

For the whips to get back.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Savage.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I need a little more explanation on that: “That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person...”. That would mean somebody from the whip's office, House leadership. It wouldn't mean the Conservative Party of Canada or the Liberal Party of Canada.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

No, it would be in addition to your own LA, so that possibly someone from the whip's office could be there.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

That's fine.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We will now turn the sheet over. What we have here is the motion on 48 hours' notice:

That unless there's unanimous consent, two days written notice must be given before any new item of business be considered by the Committee.

That's what we followed last time. Who would like to move this?

Thank you, Mr. Savage.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

It carries two to one, so there we go. That's what I like to see.

The next motion is this:

That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk's office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Moved by Ms. Dhalla.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

All right, three to one, there we go. We're moving forward.

The next one is:

That the Chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as four (4) members are present.

Once again, I think we had quorum at three before. I'm not sure I understand the motion.

Mr. Martin, did you want to talk to that for a second, then Mr. Savage.

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

It's a bit problematic in that the chair could call a meeting with his four caucus colleagues present and without any opposition at the table. And I believe this motion is unnecessary as there is already a motion in place, an older motion, that the chair could call the meeting with four members, including an opposition member.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Do you want to amend that, Tony, just to say that it must include an opposition member?

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

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Okay, that's a good amendment.

Mr. Savage, is that your point?

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

That was my point.