Evidence of meeting #43 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was shareholders.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Chair, you are telling me that three members of the committee can decide for all of the members who voted and made a decision.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Oh, really? Then where was I? Are you trying to tell me that I was not there?
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Two weeks ago I said that we would have three meetings on the service sector economy, three meetings on small and medium businesses, two meetings on the Canada Business Corporations Act, and that after the break in January, we would have one meeting on Mr. Rota's bill. So we all decided that together. That is why we have this schedule.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
In any case, I noted the dates each time. Moreover, I am the one who spoke to you last and asked you if we were in agreement insofar as the hearings were concerned: one meeting on such a date, another on another date, three meetings here and three meetings there. Now I see that someone at some point asked for another meeting.
In my opinion, if decisions are made in committee, we have to keep to those decisions and not allow everyone to ask for additional hearings. If we want to change the order of meetings, it would have to be discussed here and decisions should be made in the same manner as they were made in the beginning at the time when we discussed the timetable for the hearings.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
I did not change the committee's decisions. The clerk took notes and she told me that the committee had decided together two weeks ago that we would have two meetings on the Canada Business Corporations Act. That is why we are having this second meeting on that topic. That is not a decision that I made with three members of the committee, outside of the committee.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Chairman, I don't doubt your word.
We agreed on a schedule, and now you are telling me that the clerk, Mr. Valeriote and Ms. Coady asked that there be an additional meeting. Consequently, that is not in keeping with the first decision that was taken. That has changed. I would like to be kept apprised of changes.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Neither Mr. Valeriote, nor Mr. Lake nor Ms. Coady said that they did not want a second meeting—
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Chairman, I'm simply trying to say to you that two people should not be making a decision for the whole of the committee. The committee will decide on behalf of the group. That is what I am trying to say.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
I would like this to not happen again in future. I'd like to be kept informed.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative