Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Can I just suggest that if we agree, let's just try to work as unanimously as possible and save votes only when we have vehement disagreement. In my previous experience in public accounts, I found the more we could agree unanimously and save votes for issues where we had no other option.... Consensus is always better.
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
The clerk brought up a good point. We've seen many meetings where you're lucky to get through all this, but sometimes it starts again, so he made a good suggestion that we have to add in there—go ahead, Clerk.
9:10 a.m.
The Clerk
This is just an example from the motion you had in the committee last year. It said:
...if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.
At the moment, there is nothing at all in the—
9:10 a.m.
Liberal
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
That would give your members an opportunity to speak in the third round.
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I'd just like to make sure that I understand. We are indeed saying that “if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the chair”. Is that correct?
9:15 a.m.
The Clerk
Precisely.
9:15 a.m.
The Clerk
Since nobody proposed an amendment to do that, can I just include it as part of the first motion instead of having it as an amendment?
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
The next motion is the distribution of documents. I move:
That only the Clerk of the Committee, with adequate notice, be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages and that the Clerk shall advise all witness appearing before committee of this requirement.
(Motion agreed to)
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
I move:
That the Committee authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals.
9:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
As people who have been on this committee may know, we are in a good slot until spring, since we meet Tuesday mornings and Thursday mornings. However, we might have situations in which we'd be here at lunchtime and we might have special meetings in the evening. That means they bring in food and make sure the witnesses get fed.
(Motion agreed to)
February 4th, 2016 / 9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
On travel, accommodation, and living expenses of witnesses, I move:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
I don't know if you want to make this part of the formal motion. We should try to utilize television as much as possible. Instead of flying witnesses in for five or 10 minutes, they could go to their local facility where we could have them come on camera.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Again, it's just trying to keep our costs down and respecting taxpayers' money. I don't know whether you want to put it in a motion or if it's just the way you want to operate, Chair. It would be my advice to do that when and if possible.
9:15 a.m.
The Clerk
Otherwise, we could leave it to the discretion of the chair.