Human Resources Committee on Feb. 26th, 2009

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

I simply want to avoid any confusion, Mr. Chair. What I understood from your comments was that representatives of the Government of Quebec were unavailable on that date. I did not understand that they refused the invitation. Have they refused to testify?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

That is correct.

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

So nobody will be coming, even on another date?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

That is correct. They've refused to come, period.

I suggest we talk with the researchers after the meeting to get any further clarification. As I said, we're pursuing other options so that we can perhaps have someone who has been involved with the program in Quebec come to talk to us. So we are pursuing other options.

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

Is Mr. Charest becoming less interested in the federal government?

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Do you want a decision on the part of the members as to where you want to go next week?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Our suggestion, if Ontario can't make it, is that I would like us to look at the witness list to determine future business. We could do that on Tuesday, so we'll have something to do.

The second point is that I had a number of individuals from multiple parties indicating that we passed a routine motion that during our times over lunch we provide some food. We will be starting to do that next week. I realize people have other meetings and things going on, so we'll provide some sandwiches. I don't think it will be a hot buffet, but we'll do the best we can.

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

And don't forget the Perrier, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Perrier; it's well noted.

Is there any other business?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

On the food thing, I hate to make life difficult for the clerks, but if there are any sandwiches, can they have no fats? I don't eat anything that has butter or anything in it, and no cold cuts that are like salami or that sort of thing. It has to be something like chicken or something.

I'm just trying to say—

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I'm going to suggest Tim Horton's. Can we do that? Never mind; it's a conflict of interest.

If there are no other comments, I'll call the meeting adjourned.