Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was first.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
I would like to nominate Pierre Paquette, of the Bloc Québécois, for the position of vice-chair.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Mr. André moves that Mr. Pierre Paquette be elected vice-chair of the committee.
Mr. Julian.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Are there any other motions on this point?
(Motion agreed to)
Therefore, I declare Mr. Pierre Paquette to be the duly elected vice-chair.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Good afternoon, everyone.
I want to start by thanking everyone for electing me as chair, and I'd like to congratulate the vice-chairs from the Liberals and the Bloc. The spirit of cooperation that we've seen this afternoon in electing the chair and the vice-chairs I'm sure will be carried over to future meetings. The work we do in this committee, obviously, is not particularly partisan work, compared, quite frankly, with some other committees. So I'm looking forward to a good cooperative relationship, and I'm sure that's what we'll have.
There is some other business we can deal with this afternoon, and I believe you all have forms in front of you. So if we could just go through these motions one by one and deal with them....
Who would like to move the first motion, or a modified or different motion, applying to this issue? The title is “Services of Analysts from the Library of Parliament”. These are pretty....
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you very much, Monsieur LeBlanc.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Regarding the subcommittee on agenda and procedure, different subcommittees on agenda have been proposed with different make-ups, and some committees have suggested that we have one from each party. Usually the subcommittees on agenda work by consensus, so if there isn't consensus the issue will just come back to the full committee to deal with it anyway.
I'd like someone to move a motion on the make-up of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. Thank you, Mr. Paquette.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
On reduced quorum, the motion reads that the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three members are present, including one member of the opposition, and providing that if no member of the opposition is present after 10 minutes from the designated time at the start of the meeting, that the meeting may proceed.
Does anybody want to move that motion or a modification of that motion?
It is moved by Mr. Menzies.
(Motion agreed to)
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
On the distribution of documents, would someone like to move that motion? Mr. Maloney moves it.
Just a minute, please. There are two versions of the motion. The second one is the one that I think has been recommended, so I'd have to have one or the other proposed, either the first one or the version adopted by....
So who made...? Yes, which one?
3:45 p.m.
Bloc
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
If I understand this correctly, under the first version, a document is distributed only if it is available in both languages whereas under the second version, witnesses must be advised that their document must be available in both languages. I think the second version is the more comprehensive one.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I would just suggest that this is something we could deal with now. It's something that has been done on other occasions. When we're on the road we'll have witnesses who will have material in either official language. Certainly in Ottawa this motion would say that any information that is distributed by the clerks would be in both official languages. But often that's a problem on the road.
Would the committee agree to add to that motion that if the committee is on the road hearing witnesses, the clerk could distribute documents in either official language? Would that be acceptable?
Mr. Paquette.
3:45 p.m.
Bloc
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Chairman, I think we're adopting a principle. The committee might wish to agree to proceed otherwise if a group arrives with a document that has only been drafted in English or French. We could say that, if there is consensus, the committee members may... It all depends. Normally groups are advised. If a group consistently comes to us with documents drafted only in one of the official languages, then we could refuse to distribute that document. The circumstances would be different in the case of a group who comes here for the first time and is not aware of the fact that the document must be available in both languages. I would like us to agree on the principle while remaining flexible. For example, if we go to Halifax and a women's group appears before us with a document only drafted in English, I will certainly not turn them away. However, if a group does this systematically, then perhaps I will object to their document being distributed.
Therefore I would like us to adopt the principle while agreeing to remain flexible when we are travelling.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The members have heard the proposal from Monsieur Paquette. Is that acceptable, or would you like to make an addition to apply directly to witnesses providing material when the committee is out of Ottawa? What is the will of the committee on that? You've heard a proposal. Do you agree with that proposal that it will be handled on more or less an individual basis and with the consensus of the committee? Is it agreed?
3:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Okay. We'll go ahead with this motion as modified, as suggested by Monsieur Paquette.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I think we can just take it from that. I believe the intent is clear to everyone.
On working meals, that's pretty routine. Does anybody want to move that motion? Mr. Cannan.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
On witnesses' expenses, again, this is a routine motion saying that if witnesses request to have expenses paid, they will be. It's only if they request it, though; it's not a routine thing. A lot of witnesses are quite willing to come at their own expense, and we would like to accommodate that, of course.
Does someone want to move this motion? Monsieur LeBlanc.
(Motion agreed to)
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The next motion is for staff at in camera meetings. That's one staff person to accompany each committee member at an in camera meeting.
3:50 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The next motion is that one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.
3:50 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
