Evidence of meeting #1 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreed.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
We believe that's a fair procedure. It's closer to what this committee has had in the past. In the past, for round one the governing party had seven minutes, the official opposition had seven minutes, the New Democratic Party had five minutes, and the governing party had seven minutes. We believe this is fairer than the six minutes that's being suggested in the motion, as well as for the second round. Of course, at the end, if by chance we finished round one and round two, it would revert to the first round.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
The motion is for a total of 50 minutes. Your amendment would increase that to 51 minutes for the first two rounds. Would anyone like...?
Liberal
Yasmin Ratansi Liberal Don Valley East, ON
They're both 50 minutes, right? You're not changing the total time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Yes, there is a change in total time. That's what I'm pointing out. The net effect would be the Conservatives would gain one minute.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to speak in support of the amendment. I know that it does add one extra minute to our total allotted time, but given the significance and magnitude of this file, I think if we can spare that one extra minute, it's certainly worth our while to do so.
I also appreciate allowing the NDP, me, to have an extra minute in that regard.
Again, this is a significant file. I think the Prime Minister has made it very clear that he wants Parliament to function in a cooperative, collaborative fashion. Whenever we can, we can offer suggestions on how we can tackle the challenges ahead. I hope the committee members will support the amendment so that we can have a good start and get to work on this important portfolio.
Thanks very much.
Liberal
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Mr. Chairman, perhaps I could just add this. As I understand it, PROC has discussed the format of these routine motions, and this proposal that I've put forward in an amendment has been agreed upon for most of the committees, if not all, and it has been agreed to by all three parties at PROC.
That's the basis of the amendment. It's to build a standard format for all of the committees.
Liberal
Marwan Tabbara Liberal Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
I think we're in agreement with my colleagues here that we will agree with the NDP's suggestions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Thank you, Mr. Tabbara.
Is there unanimous consent on this? It appears so.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chairman, for allowing us to hear that again.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
We'll move on.
The next routine motion is distribution of documents.
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which have to be distributed amongst Committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before the Committee of this requirement.
Ms. Rempel.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Thank you.
The next one is on working meals. It reads:
That the Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals as may be required and that the cost of those meals be charged to the Committee budget.
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
Next is witnesses' expenses. The motion reads:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Borys Wrzesnewskyj
The next one is staff at in camera meetings. It reads:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and in addition to that, one person from either the Whip's office, the House Leader's office, or the research bureau of each party.
Liberal
