Evidence of meeting #2 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I think it's been removed from Ms. Duncan's motion.
I think you left that as an omission purposely when you read it out.
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Is there consensus with that? Is everyone satisfied with the proposal that was brought forward?
11:40 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I have a comment, Mr. Chair.
As this is simply for the purpose of getting the perspective of the three parties on items to be discussed in committee, I guess I would ask two questions. Different committees do it in different ways. Some committees have the subcommittee or steering committee--whatever it's called--take a look at coming items and make a recommendation to the committee, who then approve the proposed agenda. If that's the way we will proceed, then I don't see a need to have three members of the Conservative Party and one from each of the other. I don't see any need for that many members if it's just a discussion, but if you're going to insist on that, I guess we lose the vote on that.
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I don't want to intervene with my own personal opinion. My hope is not to take a partisan position in my role as chair, and I will be serving as chair in that subcommittee as well. So if in fact you were counting me as being under a particular partisan affiliation, I would make every effort not to affiliate in a partisan way in that subcommittee in the same way that I wouldn't here. I don't know if that alleviates any concern, but that would be my intention.
Mr. Rickford.
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
Greg Rickford Conservative Kenora, ON
Just to be clear, out of an abundance of caution, I think, as a matter of consistency, we're trying to reflect the conditions in the House as we see them and apply them here. I don't see any particular reason why this would be contentious. We would like to have three members at subcommittee. We have a mechanism here to deal with a quorum for subcommittee, and furthermore, the parliamentary secretary would have a vote since we will be talking over what will effectively be the agenda. That's my submission, if we can gain consensus.
I was on the right track. I'm sorry. When I was talking about the subcommittee on agenda, there were just a couple of details. We should have a quorum of the subcommittee consisting of at least three members, and each member should be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. In addition, Mr. Chair, each party would be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend the meetings.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
So this is an amendment to the motion that was brought forward.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
We have a motion that has been brought forward by Ms. Duncan. It is basically the text with the fourth party purposely omitted. There was consensus surrounding the necessity to drop that.
Now you have added to the text of that, so I would suspect you're bringing that forward as an amendment to the motion.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
So first, if you would allow me, Ms. Duncan would you consider that a friendly amendment?
11:45 a.m.
NDP
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
That's fine. I think we'll move into debate on this then.
Ms. Bennett.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
I think, if I am correct, that staff at in camera meetings and those things are covered in motions 7 and 8.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Those deal with in camera meetings, not subcommittee meetings. I think there's a specification relating to the subcommittee.
Mr. Rickford, I'm wondering if, for the benefit of committee members, you would now read the text of the motion including the amendment you brought forward.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Greg Rickford Conservative Kenora, ON
I move that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be composed of five members, including the chair, the two vice-chairs, the parliamentary secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party. Quorum of the subcommittee shall consist of at least three members, including one member of the opposition. Each member of the subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend any meetings.
11:45 a.m.
NDP
John Rafferty NDP Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I wonder, Mr. Rickford, if maybe you misspoke there. You were talking about the chair, two vice-chairs, and a member of the Conservative Party.
Did you mean to say opposition there, or did you mean to say Conservative at the beginning of your re-read of this motion?