Evidence of meeting #1 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Ms. Normandin, would you like to propose an amendment to the motion that Mr. Dhaliwal has read?
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
I could read you the new motion as amended. Is that okay with you?
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
It reads as follows:
That witnesses be given five (5) minutes for their opening statements; that whenever possible, witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: Round 1: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party. For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes, New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes, Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes.
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
Madame Chair, I just want to make sure the translation says that the witnesses have five minutes to present. That was the motion that Ms. Normandin presented. I just want to make sure it's five minutes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Ms. Normandin, are you proposing five minutes for each of the witnesses for the opening remarks?
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs did propose five minutes to ensure the ability to stay within the allocated time and get through all the rounds.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Okay.
Just to make sure, I feel there may have been an issue with the translation, so I just want to repeat it. Ms. Normandin, please let me know if that is okay.
You are proposing five minutes for the opening remarks for each of the witnesses. The first speaking round will be six minutes starting with Conservatives, six minutes to the Liberals, and then coming to the Bloc for six minutes and then the NDP for six minutes. Going into the second round, it will be five minutes for the Conservatives, five minutes for the Liberals, and five minutes for the Conservatives.
Ms. Normandin.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
For the second round, here is what was suggested in the Standing Committee of Procedure and House Affairs:
Conservative Party, five (5) minutes Liberal Party, five (5) minutes Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5) minutes New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes Conservative Party, five (5) minutes Liberal Party, five (5) minutes
The Bloc Québécois and the NDP are in the middle of that round, and not at the end.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Ms. Normandin, for clarifying. Is everyone okay with the amendment proposed by Ms. Normandin?
Mr. Allison.
Conservative
Dean Allison Conservative Niagara West, ON
I apologize profusely for not having a headset, but is there any reason why all the members wouldn't get a chance to talk one time before opposition parties got the chance to talk twice? Every member should have the right.... I would go to Mr. Regan to ask his thoughts on that.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Madam Chair, it's a bit unorthodox to call on one particular member. I don't know why my old friend Dean's picking on me.
I recognize there's always the argument that we're all members of Parliament and that we all ought to have our turn. I don't have a problem with the proposal by Ms. Normandin, but I do respect what Mr. Allison is saying. I recall someone saying, in a dispute, “Well, some of my friends say this, and some of my friends say this, and I agree with my friends.”
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Mr. Allison.
Thank you, Mr. Regan.
All those in favour of the amendment proposed by Ms. Normandin?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We are back to Mr. Dhaliwal.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
The next one is on document distribution:
That the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
The next one is with regard to working meals:
That the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Mr. Dhaliwal.
All those in favour of this motion? Is there anyone against?
Ms. Normandin.
Bloc
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
If I may, Madam Chair, I would like to point out that the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs added something to that motion, whereby members must now confirm their physical presence at the meeting, to avoid extra meals being ordered.
I also propose that addition.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
Thank you, Ms. Normandin. You are proposing an amendment to the motion proposed by Mr. Dhaliwal.
All those in favour of the amendment proposed by Ms. Normandin?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC
The next one is on travel, accommodation and living expenses of witnesses:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid
All those in favour of the motion proposed by Mr. Dhaliwal? All those against the motion?