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.
The Clerk
I'm not sure it needs to be in the motion, but there could be an understanding that I would send an email around asking who would be present in Ottawa. I would provide the deadline in the email.
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Here's the motion regarding the travel, accommodation and living expenses of witnesses:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
NDP
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
I have a question about this one. I really don't know the answer. The clerk may have some idea.
I'm wondering whether some people in these times might need a bit of support to get to where they can participate electronically, and whether in cases when we might otherwise have spent money to bring people to Ottawa, we may be able to assist in giving them the technical capacity, if they lack it, to participate in meetings. I mean something within reason; I'm not talking about buying them a computer or something like that.
I'm wondering what the understanding around this subject is. The trade committee has less experience with it than some other committees. I'm wondering whether some flexibility in the budget so as to provide a bit of technical assistance would be appropriate, or whether it's not needed because the House is able to support witnesses from its own budget anyway.
I'm just looking for a little information on this question.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Let me ask the clerk to comment.
I agree with Mr. Blaikie that we're in unusual times. If a small number of dollars have to be spent to ensure that we can get to hear a witness, I think that's important as well.
Madam Clerk, have you any comment?
The Clerk
These days, by the motion that was adopted on September 23, all witnesses have to appear by video conference. They will all be on Zoom. They're not coming to Ottawa; there are no witnesses in the room.
That said, if a witness needs to travel to get a good connection, this motion would apply.
The Clerk
We are also providing a headset to witnesses who don't have a headset to make sure the sound is good. However, with regard to buying computers, I'm not sure that would be in the.... Maybe they could rent one. I don't know how this could work. It would have to be on a case-by-case basis.
NDP
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
This would allow them to travel somewhere where they can get a good connection. The House provides a headset in any event. They have the technical support of House staff if they need to download Zoom, or whatever it is they need to do.
The Clerk
Yes. There are some tests done with the witnesses ahead of time by the House of Commons technicians.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
We can deal with that on a case-by-case basis.
Ms. Bendayan, please continue.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
The motion concerning access to in camera meetings reads as follows:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.
October 14th, 2020 / 3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I wanted some clarification regarding in camera meetings, because sometimes there are some differences there. Looking at what other committees have done that sat over the summer, I'm wondering if we can ensure, for clarification, that for in camera meetings we do have it documented that members of Parliament can also have one staff member for each MP and from each House officer. The whip's office would also be allowed to attend. Those would, of course, be over Zoom.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Is everyone okay with that? Good. Thank you, Mrs. Gray.
Ms. Bendayan, please continue.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
The motion concerning transcripts of in camera meetings reads as follows:
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 or by their staff.
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
With respect to notice of motion:
That a forty-eight (48) hours notice, interpreted as two (2) nights, shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that (1) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; that (2) the motion be distributed to members in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; and that (3) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day and that when the committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions may be moved.
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
With respect to orders of reference from the House respecting bills:
That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills, (a) the clerk of the committee shall, upon the committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee to invite those members to file with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the committee consider; (b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and (c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Finally, with respect to ministers' appearance:
That whenever a minister appears before the committee, every effort should be made in order for the meeting to be televised.
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
There is one more. It is with respect to participation of independent members:
That a member of Parliament who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee and who seeks the right to speak during the questioning of witnesses ask a committee member beforehand to share that member’s speaking time, and that the committee member inform the Chair before witnesses are questioned that they intend to share their time with the member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee; and that the Chair write to the members of Parliament who are not members of a caucus represented on the committee to inform them of this process.
