Industry Committee on Nov. 9th, 2006

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

I think it's just a formality. Sometimes it's even in the rules of the committees that when they travel, there are no motions passed.

We don't have a problem with it. I'm not sure what the problem is.

If it's not in the rules of the committee, then I understand why Mr. Crête is moving it, but it's just a formality. If somebody decides to put forward a dilatory motion in the middle of travelling, and you're going to have this kind of a debate while you're travelling, it makes no sense. But that can possibly happen, because you're still in committee format.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

If I could respond from the chair's perspective, first of all, I've been on the industry committee and we've never travelled, which is, I think, one of the reasons the travel was granted. So the whips granted our travel for November 20 to 24. Now, I've never seen this motion, obviously, because I've never had the experience of travelling. So I've asked the clerk....

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. James M. Latimer]

Well, on the committees I've been at, it never has come up, but it has been done in other committees.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Is it done in the finance committee every time?

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

We do it all the time, just to make sure there's no monkey business conducted while we're hearing from witnesses.

Perhaps Mr. Crête could repeat it again, and if there's anything that's....

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

We've heard the motion. It's just the normal principle of it....

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

If we adopt this motion, Mr. Crête, can we adopt it for all future meetings--for instance, when we hear from the telecommunications sector?

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

No.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

I love it. You've given me a wonderful idea.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

But it has to be adopted.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You're an excellent vice-chair.

Mr. Carrie.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

To move it forward quickly, basically, I've never heard of this before, and it has been given to us at the last minute. I'm sure the intent is good, and I don't think anybody's planning any shenanigans or monkey business, as you say. But because we're unsure of it, we can't give you unanimous consent today.

But I'm sure on the first day, whatever, we can talk about it.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I have been told that—

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Could you supply me a written copy, and we'll get back to you?

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Let me read it to you in English:

That during the Committee's trip the week of November 20, 2006, the meetings be for the sole purpose of hearing witnesses.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Yes. I understand.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Hearing witnesses and site visits.

[A voice]

Site visits aren't included in this.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

I think you guys can think on your own, but let me know what the table says.

[A voice]

So no unanimous consent, and allow him to move the motion.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Excuse me, I have a point of order.

This sort of motion does not require unanimous consent. Our next meeting will be during our trip. I do not see the problem in dealing with it now. Unanimous consent is not required to study this motion. We are asking that the committee consider the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

My understanding is you need unanimous consent, if you do not follow the 48-hour rule. The clerk can advise me if that's incorrect.

[The Clerk]

That's my understanding.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

It's the clerk's understanding as well.