Evidence of meeting #1 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 43rd 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

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Andrew Wilson

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Chair, I would agree with both of the members opposite on their statements. I will say, certainly from my experience last time, that I think there were many examples of where an in-person witness was much more powerful and effective.

To your point, we should take each one on a case-by-case basis. If we can use technology, we should certainly do that to reduce costs.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Okay. Are you ready for the question?

(Motion agreed to)

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Regarding staff at in camera meetings, I move:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Regarding in camera meeting transcripts, I move:

That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee or by their staff.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

The next is regarding notices of motions. Before I read this, I'll add that this one is extremely important. I know we certainly had discussions about this in the last session.

I move:

That forty-eight (48) hours' notice, interpreted as two (2) nights, shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that (1) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; that (2) the motion be distributed to members in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; and that (3) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day and that when the committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions may be moved.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any discussion?

Mr. Albas.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Being from British Columbia, I would hate to see me wanting to send things in at 6:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, just with the time delay. Can we please make sure it says that Eastern Standard Time 4:00 p.m. would be the cut-off time, just so we're all on the same playing ground?

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

I consider that to be a friendly amendment.

Do you agree?

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Yes, for sure.

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

It should actually be the other way around. It would come in earlier.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

We'll stick with Eastern time.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

For the sake of good form, is there any discussion on the amendment?

Ms. Gazan.

February 18th, 2020 / 3:50 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Thank you, and congratulations, Mr. Chair.

I want to just make an amendment to the motion that any motion to go in camera should be debatable and amendable, and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes: (a) to discuss administrative matters of the committee, (b) a draft report, (c) briefings concerning national security, and furthermore, minutes of in camera meetings should reflect on the results of all votes taken by the committee while in camera, including how each member voted when a recorded vote is requested.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Ms. Gazan, I'm not sure that's an amendment to the motion on the floor. Once we're finished dealing with this one, it would be appropriate for you to introduce that as a motion afresh.

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Sorry, I'm a newbie.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

No, it's fine.

What we have before the committee now is a motion to amend the motion, to add a reference to Eastern Standard Time.

Is there any discussion on the amendment?

Mr. Housefather.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Sorry, Mr. Chair, but I would just say that it should read “Eastern Time” not “Eastern Standard Time”, because we operate on Daylight Time too, just so it is not confused.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

You are absolutely right again.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

I hadn't said anything before, but thank you.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any discussion on the amendment?

(Amendment agreed to)

Is there any discussion on the motion as amended?

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Now, Ms. Gazan, I recognize you for the next order of business.

3:55 p.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to move the following motion:

That any motion to go in camera should be debatable and amendable, and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes:

(a) to discuss administrative matters of the committee

(b) a draft report

(c) briefings concerning national security;

And furthermore, minutes of in camera meetings should reflect on the the results of all votes taken by the committee while in camera, including how each member voted when a recorded vote is requested.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is there any discussion on the motion?

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Rothesay, NB

Chair, are we able to see a copy of that?