Human Resources Committee on Nov. 17th, 2009

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

Madam Chair, on a point of order, is there unanimous consent that I can table this motion and have discussions with the parliamentary secretary and anybody else they recommend to see if we can bring back something more palatable?

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Would that be acceptable to members?

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

I think members have been asking for the question to be called and for the motion to be defeated, but in fairness to Mr. Savage, I think we should call the question, defeat the motion, but he and I should have discussions on how the process can accommodate in good measure what he would like to see and what we would like to see, to have some form of order and neat process to effect the smooth process of the meeting.

With that, I think we should call the question.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

I will call the question.

This is what I think is going to happen.

I am going to call the question. If the vote for Mr. Savage's motion is not unanimous and if the motion is defeated, there will then be an informal meeting between Mr. Savage, Mr. Komarnicki and anyone else who wants to attend to discuss how we can study Bill C-56 unofficially by inviting the members of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

I call the question on Mr. Savage's motion.

(Motion negatived).

The next step is for those two gentlemen--and anyone else who wants to join us, as I take it the meeting is an open one--to get together after 5:30 and make some kind of proposition so that we can move forward.

It's my feeling that everybody wants to have members from both committees present, but we don't quite know how, so we'll let them thrash it out between the two of them and come back to us with a suggestion.

We have 20 minutes left. I'd like to discuss how we are going to tackle the three or possibly four days that remain to us for Bill C-56. I've been away for a little while, so I'm not altogether sure. I'd like to hear from the clerk exactly where we are and what he suggests to us.

[The Clerk]

On Thursday we have the minister for one hour. The second hour will be with the officials of the department. I've already received a number of names that have been called to be witnesses for next Tuesday, since the committee is not travelling. That was tentative. Then, as the chair said, we'll hopefully be receiving names from the members for the next witnesses.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Then do we have enough witnesses for next Tuesday?

[The Clerk]

Correct.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

This Thursday is okay in terms of the minister and the officials. Next Tuesday is okay in terms of witnesses. We are now awaiting names of possible witnesses from you. Please get them in as quickly as possible, so that the clerk can get in touch with them and invite them for next Thursday's meeting.

What do we do about this fourth date? Where to put it is always a big problem. Do you want to discuss the possible fourth date now, or do you want to leave it until next Thursday or next Tuesday? It can't just happen on the spur of the moment. You know how it works.

Go ahead, Mr. Savage.

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

It seems to me we'd have a better idea of that on Thursday. I don't think we knew that we'd be doing Bill C-56 as quickly as we are. I wasn't aware the minister was even confirmed for Thursday until yesterday. I think we should see where we are, make sure we get the witnesses in over the next couple of days, and make a decision on that on Thursday.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

That's this coming Thursday, the day after tomorrow.

Be prepared to come with some kind of agenda next Thursday so that we can look at that fourth meeting. If we do need it, we can then put on the agenda the time and place and the witnesses we want to hear at that time.

Are there any other questions arising from the proceedings?

Are there any further questions or comments?

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.