Evidence of meeting #1 for International Trade in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It doesn't show me a raised hand anywhere at all. I know where to get a raised hand from, but when you say that you've put it up there, I don't know where it is.
4:40 p.m.
The Clerk
If I may, Madam Chair.... Click on “Participants”, and it will show you all the participants. If anyone raises his or her hand, it will give you a lineup. If you click on “Participants”, you will see everyone, and you will see that Mr. Arya has his hand up.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Arya's hand is a nice Conservative blue. I don't know if we're supposed to take anything away from that.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
All right. We can do it that way, or you can just wave or whatever to get my attention.
I was at Ms. Bendayan, and then I promise I'll go right to you, Mr. Arya.
Ms. Bendayan, were you finished? I'm sorry.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
No, I hadn't started, but thank you, Madam Chair.
Now that my colleagues have indicated their intentions, I want to also indicate an intention on my side to propose the continuation of the WTO study, which this committee had, I believe, progressed on for about an hour or an hour and a half before we adjourned and rose for the pandemic.
I will be submitting that, as well as one other motion, for the consideration of my colleagues. I also will allow time for everybody to reflect on those and I will not read them into the record.
I would simply point out that if we are moving on to a discussion on the proposal to study the main estimates, the minister is very much looking forward to coming to committee, and I believe we could find time, based on her schedule, for that to happen at the committee's desire.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
First, I would like to propose that the colour of the hand symbol be red when it's a Liberal member.
Then, Madam Chair, I fully agree that the motions be submitted in advance, preferably at least 24 hours in advance. If that can be accomplished, it would be great.
I agree with Mr. Savard-Tremblay that no other motions need to be discussed today. If what I heard Mrs. Gray and Ms. Bendayan talking about—the main estimates and inviting the minister—is a formal motion, obviously we should not discuss it today, but if it is not a formal motion, then can we take it further.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Are there any further comments?
Part of our regular practice is that—
Sorry, Mr. Savard-Tremblay. Go ahead.
4:40 p.m.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
I used the raise hand function for participants. It will be difficult to cope with these new systems, but we'll eventually get used to them.
We actually don't want to get used to them, because we hope to be able to all meet in person as soon as possible. However, for now, we must get used to them.
Nevertheless, I want to make it clear that I would have liked to send my motions. We sent them to the clerk in a timely manner. Of course, since the committee wasn't struck, we couldn't formally submit them, as I would have liked.
That said, even though we agreed to discuss the motions again after they're sent out by email, could we still read them today? Do you consider this appropriate?
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It's up to the committee, but if everyone chooses to read their motions, by the time we get together again to deal with the motions, we'll probably have forgotten part of what was said and have to start over again. However, it's the committee's decision.
Go ahead, Mr. Hoback.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Chair, I really feel for you in this position, because we're all trying to figure out how to do this.
Historically, what would have happened, when we chaired committees, was that we'd just have a general discussion on where we want to go and not necessarily even have motions in place. Motions may have to be more formalized in light of the fact that we're not all together. We're not in the same room. We're not having those side conversations at the same time. I think, though, when it comes to the main estimates, we don't have a choice. You don't need a motion. It's nice to have one, but we have to do it anyway, which is why I say that one is a no-brainer. That one should be done.
I agree with Ms. Gray that we can do that right now. Mr. Blaikie is saying the same thing. I think you're seeing consensus amongst the parties to at least schedule that one first.
The other clarification I would like to have—I just want to make sure I understand it correctly—is that anything we've done before prorogation is gone, and we have to start from scratch. Ms. Bendayan's motion, or what she wants to study, I think is a good study. I think we need to do it. I'm just not sure about the timing on it. It would have to start from scratch again, would it not?
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
You can bring it back and start it; there's a reintroduction process following prorogation.
4:45 p.m.
The Clerk
I will send Ms. Bendayan the wording to write that kind of motion.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
The only concern I have with that is that the Conservatives have quite a few new members on the committee. They weren't there. If there's a way to have them brought up to speed so they're on the same level playing field as everybody else, I think that would be important.
4:45 p.m.
The Clerk
There was only one meeting on that.
4:45 p.m.
The Clerk
We didn't receive any briefs. I can send all the members the link to the transcripts.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
On the point about the WTO study, frankly, I think it would be better just to start the study again. I would like to hear from Global Affairs again anyway. That was the briefing we got. Given all of what's happened in the last seven months or so since they appeared, I think it would be worthwhile to have them appear anyway. I'm happy to go either way, but in any event, whether we restart the study or carry it over, we would need to hear from Global Affairs again anyway.
For today's purposes, though, what I'm hearing is that we're getting into a conversation about various kinds of studies. I'm fine to just leave that at the door and have people send their motions in and get them distributed by the clerk. If we could get agreement that we at least want to discharge our duty with respect to the main estimates, invite the minister, and have that be what we decide today, and then have the other motions distributed so we have time to read them for our next meeting, I would be very happy to conclude the meeting at that.
If we could get agreement on the main estimates and on inviting the minister, and agreement that we're going to push forward the conversation about other studies, once that's in place I would be happy to move adjournment. Just let me know how quickly you think we can get there and I will do my part, Madam Chair.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
That sounds wonderful to me.
I have Ms. Bendayan, Mr. Hoback and Ms. Gray on the list.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I fully support what Mr. Blaikie is proposing. I think the members will see from my motion that we would be proposing to have officials come back, because there has been quite a bit of development and movement. There have been ongoing negotiations over the summer on WTO reform, so I think it would be relevant for officials to return in any event.