International Trade Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

[Mario Silva, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Chair, I've been vice-chair of committees where we had steering committees, and all of the things that were discussed at steering committees were also discussed again at the full committee. So it was just a repeat of the same thing.

I think that if it's needed, we could always revisit this issue in the future and call for one. But at the moment, if there hasn't been one, and there's no need at the moment, then we should not have a steering committee. If members in the future wish to have one, they could always call one.

My experience may be different from that of other members, but it's been basically a repeat of the same thing.

[Dick Harris, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Can we call the question?

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

There's been a call for the question.

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

I asked to speak earlier. My name was probably taken off the list.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Go ahead, I won't limit debate. Carry on. You have the floor now.

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

Last time, we had a steering committee. Occasionally matters can be dealt with fairly quickly and the committee can come to a decision, but sometimes the committee does decide some matters still need to be settled and refers them to the steering committee.

The fact of having a steering committee can make it possible for the committee to refer a matter to it if it so wishes. At times, the steering committee ends up discussing matters that have to be discussed all over again when they come back to the full committee, since some representatives of the parties did not do their jobs.

The steering committee is a necessary tool that we have to use properly, when we need it. It is often the full committee that refers a matter to the steering committee. I would like us to come back to what we had last time, and use the steering committee when we need it.

[Dick Harris, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

There's a point of order, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Mr. Cannis.

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Chairman, I'll add a caveat to this proposal from Mr. Julian that might help us move forward. We could possibly look at setting it up and utilizing it, should we wish to in the future, upon majority approval. If we can't find ways to resolve our differences and agree to a witness list, for example, or whatever business we are planning, Mr. Chairman, then maybe we'll go back.

I see it the opposite way. It really doesn't make sense. If you can't find common ground at a meeting, how are we going to find common ground at a steering committee? I'm only saying this so that we can move on. Time flies, and it's the last order of business, I think.

My suggestion is to strike the committee and use it if need be, with a vote within the committee if we can't put a proper agenda forward.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

What about “at the call of the chair”?

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

That's fair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

All right. We have an amendment to Mr. Julian's motion. The motion, with Mr. Cannis' amendment, would now be that a subcommittee on procedure and agenda be created, including the chairman of the committee and one member from each party, to be called at the call of the chair.

We'll vote on the amendment.

(Amendment agreed to)

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Thank you gentlemen. I think that is showing good spirit.

Oh, I'm sorry, Monsieur Cardin, did you get that?

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

I just wanted to know where we are, exactly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

I'm sorry, Mr. Cardin.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Chair, I do think Mr. Cardin is raising an important point.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Oh, I agree absolutely. I just get so excited when we have consensus.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

When it comes to amendments and the general discussion, it is very important that all committee members be aware that a vote has been called.

Sometimes, a member wants to move an amendment that is somewhat dilatory in nature, or that does not really make sense. That is something different. Earlier, I said that when a committee member wanted to move an important amendment he or she should be able to do so. The same goes for votes. We should perhaps retake those votes. I understand that my colleagues from the Bloc did not know a vote was being called.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Okay, we've heard that.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Courtesy.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Well, we could all pay attention, couldn't we.

Let's move on. I think we still have a couple of minutes. I did give a brief discussion of potential subjects for next week. I'll go around the table to get your thoughts on where the committee would like to go next week. This will be our steering committee meeting, if you will. I want to get the feeling from the committee, to try to develop a consensus for moving ahead.

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Mr. Chairman, I think the European free trade agreement is front and centre right now. As the debate is unfolding, in my view and on behalf of my team, it would be a top priority right now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Monsieur Cardin, input for next week?

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Chairman, if we look at the motions we have just passed, it's the government's Bill C-2, which was passed at second reading. That bill would thus be referred back to the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Yes.