Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was documents.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
It does not appear as though the spirit is willing, so I'll withdraw it.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Very good.
We have the motion before us as presented. Would you read it again for us, Mr. Clerk?
3:50 p.m.
The Clerk
It says:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee only documents that are available in both official languages.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
We have heard the motion. Is there any further discussion?
(Motion agreed to)
3:50 p.m.
The Clerk
The next motion reads:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
As I recall, this motion was not abused last time by any means. We had very few sandwiches come in. On occasion it is required because of witnesses' timing or whatever, or because of deadlines that require us to work through the dinner hour. At that time, in order for us to keep our work going, we do have meals come it. Do we have any need to put a dollar figure to it at this time, Mr. Clerk? Is there any discussion?
It is moved by Mr. Hawn.
(Motion agreed to)
3:50 p.m.
The Clerk
The next motion reads as follows:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment of more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Does somebody want to move that so we can discuss it?
It is moved by Ms. Black.
(Motion agreed to)
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
3:50 p.m.
The Clerk
The motion reads as follows:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
It's pretty standard. It is moved by Mr. Khan.
Do you have a question, Mr. Bachand?
3:50 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
How I understand this motion is that a staff person can be someone other than a staff member of an MP's office. A staff person can be a staff member of my party. If my assistant is not available, then I can bring somebody else to an in-camera meeting. That is how I understand this motion. Does everyone agree?
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Of course, here the French version has priority over the English version.
3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
To my mind, I can be accompanied by the gentleman here, who is from the party, or this person here, who can be my assistant. I cannot be accompanied by two people, only one.
One staff person doesn't mean it's staff from my office. It may be that staff from my party will accompany me.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
It wouldn't matter. How would I know if the person was a staffer from your office or your neighbour?
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
May 9th, 2006 / 3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
That's the understanding. I don't have any problem with that.
It's been my experience as well, sitting on other committees, that every now and again there is an in camera meeting where potentially a member of this committee cannot attend. We amended this motion so that a staff person could attend even if the member, the deputé, was absent, and that was agreed to by all parties.
