We still have a bit of committee business on which I need direction from the committee. The witnesses can leave at this time. Thank you, Mr. Cadieux and Ms. Nandy.

I need adoption of the budget that we spent on reviewing Bill C-215, in the amount of $7,850. Do I have approval of the budget, or you'll have to cough up for the lunches you enjoyed when you were there?

6:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

6:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

On Bill C-22, which is coming, I am reminding you of the deadline for the submission of prioritized witness lists to the clerk. Did we pick a timeline on that, or do we want to give it now? This is on Bill C-22, which was adopted in the House and will now come to the committee. Do you want the committee to make the decision on a deadline for submitting your witness lists? Do you want to make it this Friday at five o'clock, eastern standard time?

6:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

The deadline for witnesses for Bill C-22 will be on Friday at five o'clock.

The second part is that the committee should decide or give direction on the total number of meetings to hear from witnesses. Could I receive some direction on the total number of meetings?

Mr. Kusmierczyk, go ahead.

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

I would suggest the committee spend four meetings. Does that sound reasonable?

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Ms. Zarrillo, go ahead.

6:30 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Just on that, Mr. Chair, is there an opportunity to extend to another meeting, or maybe even two more meetings, if we end up getting a rich amount of testimony that we need to dig into a bit further?

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

[Technical difficulty—Editor] to change its mind, Ms. Zarrillo.

There is a recommendation that we schedule four meetings with witnesses.

Would the committee like a briefing session from department officials before we commence the study? Do you want to do it before, or do you want to do it after?

Ms. Zarrillo, go ahead.

6:30 p.m.

NDP

Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

I have a question. When do we anticipate that we will commence with witnesses?

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

I will ask the clerk to speak on that.

We had the discussion. It looks like the earliest we could begin Bill C-22 would be October 31, because of the timeline to notify the witnesses and get them in.

Madam Clerk, do you want to elaborate on that?

6:30 p.m.

The Clerk

We're looking at giving witnesses a week. If we receive witness lists by Friday at five o'clock, ideally, I would like to start getting invitations out on the Monday.

I'd like to give witnesses time to consider the invitations and prepare because, quite often, we're not giving witnesses enough time to prepare and do the opening statements. It would be helpful for those witnesses to give them time to view the invitation, make sure that the equipment they require is there, ensure that we have interpretation on the floor and modify the room to accommodate all individuals, both public and witnesses.

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Next, I have Madame Chabot and Irek.

I would remind you that the witnesses we will be hearing have challenges, so that's a requirement for the additional time.

Go ahead, Madame Chabot.

6:30 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

I want to ask a question that takes this into account. Will we have time to do what you suggest, which is to have a meeting with the officials beforehand, or a more technical meeting, without it diminishing the number of meetings with witnesses?

Is it possible to do that next week? I don't think we have any other topics to discuss.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

What are the wishes of the committee? We could schedule next Wednesday for officials to give a briefing on the bill, if the committee wishes that. Do I see a consensus?

6:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

We will schedule next Wednesday for officials to come in and give a briefing on Bill C-22.

The second part I want to get through is this. On Monday, which is the 24th, I would like to schedule beginning the first review of the labour report, which you all have a copy of now. If that's agreeable to the committee, at the meeting on Monday we would begin a review of the labour report that the committee did, which you have the first draft of.

To the new members of the committee, there was a study by the committee and a labour shortage report done in the spring session, and that report's first draft was provided to committee members two weeks ago. We have yet to review that, so you have draft one of the committee's report on labour shortages.

If I see a consensus, the committee will move on Monday the 24th to begin the review of draft one of the labour shortages report.

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

I apologize. To go back to the departmental briefing, would it be possible to have the minister return? I know how passionate she is about this bill, and she's always very favourable in expressing her excitement and her desire to see this passed rapidly. I think it would be great to have her back at committee to share that with us once again.

I will say, as the official opposition, it might help us directly address some of our concerns with the specifications, so that we can all move it along faster.

It's just a consideration, Chair. Thank you.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, Mrs. Kusie.

Go ahead, Irek.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

It's a nice suggestion. If it's the will of the committee, I know that the minister is prepared to come and would like to come on the very first day of the study, if that's okay.

If the committee decides, whether that's October 31 or November 2, the minister would like to appear and be the first witness, if that's okay.

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB

That would be excellent. Thank you.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Okay. I'm seeing consensus that an invitation be sent to the minister to appear first, as the study begins. It will be either October 31 or November 2, depending on the schedule.

Do I see consensus on that?

6:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, committee members.

I want to remind you that the deadline for applications for the Centennial Flame is October 31. It's just a reminder, again, that the deadline is the 31st.

With that, thank you, committee members, for your participation—

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Did we get any more applicants?