So you move as presented?
Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 41st 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.
Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 41st 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.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Is there any discussion on that motion?
All in favour?
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
On the subcommittee on agenda and procedure, Mr. Cannan.
Noon
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to propose some different wording.
As a member of the government operations committee...we were one of the first committees to meet, and I think the committee will probably agree upon the wording we used. I'll read it out for the clerk and for the record: that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be composed of five members, including the chair, the two vice-chairs, the parliamentary secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party. Quorum of the subcommittee shall consist of at least three members. Each member of the subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant at any meeting of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend any meetings.
It just helps clarify if you need any assistance from the staff level. It's worked well.
Noon
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Sure. It is that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be composed of five members, including the chair, the two vice-chairs, the parliamentary secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
I can tell you, from the chair's perspective, that I don't intend to use steering committees very often. Steering committees work when we can't come to agreement here. I don't see that happening very often.
Noon
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I was just going to echo that. I've been on the committee for five and a half years, and I don't think we've ever used the subcommittee.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
The only reason you use a subcommittee is if things really break down here, but I don't see that happening.
Go ahead, Mr. Thibeault.
Noon
NDP
Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You say that it hasn't ever really been used in the past. It's not something this committee has had to use. That's great. In the spirit of cooperation, that's a great thing to hear. It just seems that if it's not something you truly use, why do you need to load it up, so to speak, instead of just having the chair and the two vice-chairs in this subcommittee? Just keep the status quo.
Noon
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Let me just comment based on other committees I'm on. It is, ultimately, the committee of the whole that decides the results of the subcommittee. To try to get a true reflection of the main committee, the standing committee, I think it's important to have more representation, equal representation, around the table of the subcommittee. Otherwise, the subcommittee meets for an hour or two and then comes back and redebates everything that was discussed.
I guess in the spirit of efficiency it's probably better to have a microcosm of the main committee.
Noon
An hon. member
I don't need to add to that.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Okay, fine.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Now we'd entertain a motion on a reduced quorum.
We have a motion from Mr. Easter.
Noon
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
It's extremely important.
Mr. Chair, witnesses prepare briefs, and sometimes, as it happens, there isn't a full quorum. It's a waste of their time, the witnesses' time, if their briefs have not been presented and heard. That's why it's reduced.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
From the chair's perspective, I want to know exactly what you're moving.
The previous committee had two paragraphs, I believe. Which one is it you're moving, Mr. Easter?
Noon
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
It is that we be able 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.
Noon
Conservative
Noon
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thanks.
I'd just like to add a friendly amendment and some additional clarification at the end. It would say one member of the opposition and one member of the government.
Noon
Conservative
