Evidence of meeting #1 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Miriam Burke

4:10 p.m.

NDP

Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC

Not having been a regular member of the committee, but as sort of infrequent, I do know that this committee does get a fair number of private members' bills that come through the House, so I certainly understand Mr. Moore's reasoning that he would want to see those come forward. However, my understanding of committees generally is that the steering committee is the group that orders the business of the committee. I think if we pass this motion it will kind of put this very difficult box around what the committee can do. I think there may be instances when the committee wants to deal with a pressing issue or it may want to look at something, and if this is passed and all private members' business automatically takes precedence I think it will greatly limit the flexibility the committee has.

That's something that should be worked out by the steering committee, which plans the business and the process of what the committee is dealing with. I think that's the preferable way and that's usually worked and I think that should continue. So I wouldn't support the motion.

4:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Monsieur Ménard.

4:10 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Chair, in the past, of course, the committee has always been ready to consider government bills. That seems normal to me. Nothing in the Standing Orders says that a priority must be established automatically.

In fact, situations can arise. In the last session, for example, the government had six or seven bills. If we had followed the logic of the motion before us, we would not have had any time for private members' bills.

Speaking for myself, I am not ready for that. We must have a guarantee of cooperation. The government can count on our cooperation in studying its bills. However, nothing in the Standing Orders requires a committee to drop everything and give its bills priority.

As our colleague Ms. Libby Davies reminded us, the steering committee will be able to prioritize a number of things. I do not feel that it would be wise for us to support this motion.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Thank you.

Mr. Moore.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

I'll withdraw the motion.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

You withdraw the motion.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB

I can't bear one more defeat.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

We need consent of the committee to do that. Everyone consents to it being withdrawn?

4:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Thank you.

4:15 p.m.

Liberal

Brian Murphy Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB

Are there any other motions you're going to withdraw?

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Are there any other motions that you want to make with respect to routine motions?

Yes, Ms. Davies.

4:15 p.m.

NDP

Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC

I don't know if a motion is required to establish the steering committee. I don't know what the committee did before or whether it's just something that happens by consensus, that there is a steering committee.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

We had a motion. You'll notice that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure has been established by a motion already, so it's in place.

First of all, let's talk about the membership of the committee. I invite some discussion on that.

Monsieur Ménard.

4:15 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Last time, one representative per party sat on the steering committee and it worked well. We met just before the committee meeting.

I think that we discussed this last time. We can discuss it. I have no formal objection. Do we want the parliamentary secretary to sit on it or not? Nothing personal, of course, it is just that, this time, we have two parliamentary secretaries, Mr. Chair. Imagine the moments of personal growth that lie before us.

The fact is that we should follow the principle of having one representative per party.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Since we don't have a meeting set for Wednesday, could I suggest that would be an appropriate time to have a steering committee meeting, where we can work on a work plan? I'm going to invite some discussion on a work plan, but--

4:15 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Thursday or Wednesday? Wednesday.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Wednesday.

4:15 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Wednesday.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Wednesday at 3:30, the same time as this meeting would typically take place.

4:15 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Do we have a motion for one representative per party? Do we want a parliamentary secretary or not? We have to discuss that. I have no opinion on the matter.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

It's already part of the motion.

4:15 p.m.

Bloc

Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Note to editors: technical difficulties.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Fast

Do we have a location, Madam Clerk?

4:15 p.m.

The Clerk

Not yet.