Evidence of meeting #105 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Wolfgang Lehmann  Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Western University, As an Individual
Luisa Atkinson  Director, First Nation Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Paula Speevak  President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Canada

May 28th, 2018 / 3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Welcome, everybody. While you are getting settled there, we'll introduce everybody.

Pursuant to Standing—

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

I have a point of order.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

A point of order, Mr. Warawa.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

I have a quick question on quorum before we proceed, and this is for my own edification.

A quorum is the majority of the committee. Does there have to be a voting member of the opposition to have quorum? For example, we have five members. My understanding is that you are not included in that quorum count.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Yes.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

So we have five, and then a majority of the committee would be six. Doing that math, for this committee to make any decisions would it require a member of the opposition to be the sixth member, or do we have the Standing Orders in such a way that there could be no members of the official opposition, and the government could just bulldoze forward?

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

I stand to be corrected, but I believe it's considered a courtesy, but it's not a rule.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

What is the number for quorum in this committee?

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

It's six. It's a majority.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

In that majority is the chair considered part of the quorum?

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Yes.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

The chair is a non-voting member, so can't help make decisions, but is part of the quorum count.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Correct. It's considered a courtesy.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

Okay. Thank you very much.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Pursuant to the order of reference of Thursday, February 1, 2018, we are considering Bill C-62, an act to amend the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act and other acts. We are joined here today by—

Yes.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

I would like to say something, Mr. Chair.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Is this a point of order, sir?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

No. You have the floor.

You had recognized him.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Is this a point of order, sir?

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

No, it is not a point of order, Mr. Chair.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Okay, then I'm going to continue, please.

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Actually, I am planning to table a motion this afternoon.

I want to thank the public servants who are here...

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

This is out of order, okay? If you have a point of order, we'll continue, but we've—

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC

I have a point of order.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bryan May

Mr. Warawa.