Evidence of meeting #1 for Library of Parliament in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreed.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
If they're independent senators, how can they be part of a group? How does that work?
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
We are a group of independent senators. We are not whipped. The group meets for information purposes.
Conservative
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
Is there any other debate or questions?
(Motion agreed to)
The next is notice of motion.
Liberal
Michael Levitt Liberal York Centre, ON
The next motion reads:
That 48 hours' notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration and that the notice of motion be filed with the Joint Clerks of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
Is there debate or questions?
(Motion agreed to)
The last one is quorum of subcommittee.
Liberal
Michael Levitt Liberal York Centre, ON
Madam Chair, given the current status in the Senate, I ask that we defer this motion.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Gagan Sikand
Moving forward to whether we're going to adopt the draft report, at this point, I'd like to open the floor to any debate, and if there's no debate, to adopt the draft report.
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
I have a motion. Are we done with the routine procedures at this point? Are you ready to entertain a motion?
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
We were going to see if there were other items we wanted to discuss.
Are there any items we'd like to discuss? You have a motion and a question? Can we start with the question, if you don't mind?
Ms. Quach.
NDP
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Thank you.
When can we propose topics for the committee to study? Do we do that now, or do I have to do it by motion?
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
That's a good question.
You can do it now or move a motion for future studies.
NDP
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Okay.
I will give the floor to Mr. Van Kesteren, and I will propose a topic for consideration afterwards.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
Back in 2014, the committee passed a motion calling on the Library of Parliament to provide access on its public website to the Order Paper answers that had been made orders for return. As far as I can tell, they are currently on the intraparl site, but not available on the library's public website. We would simply like the Library of Parliament to adhere to the motion that was passed in 2014. It was presented by Liberal MP Scott Simms at the time. They already have the documents scanned and on the internal site. We believe the public should have access to them, as was mentioned in the motion that was passed back in 2014.
The motion is amended, because it was the 39th Parliament, and this is for the 40th. I move:
That, whereas the Library of Parliament already scans Sessional Papers which are tabled in response to Order Paper Questions in the House of Commons, and makes the scanned copies available on the Parliamentary Intranet, that the Library of Parliament provide unfettered access for all Canadians to these same documents on the public internet site, and that such access be provided, from the beginning of the 40th Parliament and future scanned Sessional Papers, as soon as practicable.
That is my amended motion. I repeat that this motion is the same except the amendment is that this is the 40th Parliament.
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
Just for my personal education, not wanting to make a faux pas here, let me ask whether this motion would be presented to everyone or just brought forward here.
Is it something we could defer just by receiving the...?
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON
We could, except that this motion was already passed. What I'm asking that we do in lieu of that is accept the motion that was already passed.
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
Are there any questions or any discussion on this?
Mr. Ouellette, the floor is yours.
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
I find it pretty surprising that the Library of Parliament hasn't conformed to the request of this committee. I find it disheartening, in fact, that they have not done so and are not offering open and transparent access to information to all Canadians. I would support this motion.
The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion
Okay. Are there any other comments or questions on this motion?
Senator Duffy.
Senator, Prince Edward Island (Cavendish), ISG
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to ask Mr. Van Kesteren, if he could elaborate a little more on the history of this and what seems to be the problem for something, as Mr. Ouellette says, that is pretty basic to the functioning of our democracy.