Evidence of meeting #1 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
February 16th, 2016 / 4 p.m.
Liberal
Frank Baylis Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
I appreciate the interesting points, but maybe we can move on.
Can we have a vote on that?
4 p.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I'd like to add an amendment that the two vice-chairs include both official opposition parties because, as it is worded there, it could be the official opposition and the government that take the vice-chair positions. Again, I'd raise that as a way of compromising.
4 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
As I understand it, there are already two vice-chairs from the opposition.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
With that being clarified, my motion still stands. Can it be put forward?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
In the interest of trying to get consensus, would we consider perhaps postponing this one to a time that it is necessary, and move on?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
I think we should go ahead and put it forward. As for calling the subcommittee meeting, that you can take it as amended as required.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
If there is no other discussion, we shall put it to a vote.
(Motion agreed to)
Moving onto the next one (c), meeting without a quorum.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
I'll just read that section:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member from the government and one member of the Opposition; and that, in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, that the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
I guess the question, again, is that in this particular scenario you're speaking of a situation where it could be either one from the Conservative Party or one from the New Democrats. If that were the case, then for a meeting without quorum—I understand it has other ramifications—you would be able to hold that meeting. Is that what I am to understand? It doesn't say. The word “opposition” is there; it doesn't give the two options.
Could you expand on that?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
As a reminder, no decisions are made. It's just so that evidence can be heard.
Is the motion adopted?
(Motion agreed to)
Okay, we'll move on to the next one on the acting chair.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Majid Jowhari Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
I propose motion (d) on the acting chair:
That, when the Chair and Vice-Chairs are unable to act as Chair at or during a meeting of the Committee, the Chair shall designate a member of the Committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting and that such an acting Chair shall be vested with all the powers of the Chair at or during the said meeting.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
Is it agreed?
(Motion agreed to)
The next one is on document distribution.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
I move:
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages, and that the Clerk advise all witnesses of this requirement.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
Is it agreed?
(Motion agreed to)
The next one is on working meals.
Mr. Baylis.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Frank Baylis Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
The following motion concerns working meals:
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 these meals be charged to the Committee budget.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
I'm told that's very useful.
(Motion agreed to)
On access to in camera meetings, Monsieur Arseneault.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I move the following:
That each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meeting and that, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend in camera meetings.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
Is the motion agreed to?
(Motion agreed to)
On transcripts of in camera meetings, Mr. Arya.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
I move:
That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcript be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of the Committee or Members of Parliament who attend the specific meeting.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I just hope that we have fewer rather than more in camera meetings. In municipal politics, it was for property, staff issues, or conflict of interest that we would move in camera. I've said that sometimes if somebody sneezes at committee we can go in camera.
I will support the motion because it is important to go there at times, but I'm hoping that we have fewer of of them.