National Defence Committee on Feb. 4th, 2009

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Claude is quite right. It's important to distinguish between the committee as a whole and the subcommittee. The notion of being present implies that persons who are present are prepared to take part in the work of this committee.

However, I would like to propose an amendment that has nothing to do with MPs. It's identical to what Claude was proposing earlier. I would like to propose that one member of our staff be permitted to attend, for example, someone from the whip's office. We could have pressing administrative requirements that have nothing to do with what's happening with the committee as such. I'm simply suggesting that each member from the different parties be allowed to bring along a staff member or someone from the whip's office.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Is there any further discussion? So we're voting on the way it was last time?

Mr. Blaney.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Chair, getting back to something I mentioned earlier, the committee must take into account a new reality, namely the representational nature of the members of the steering committee. It is important for us to represent our political parties. When we serve on a committee, we do so as MPs on behalf of our political party.

As for this motion respecting the composition of the subcommittee, I see that there would a one representative of each political party, including the three opposition parties. That means three representatives of the opposition for six committee members: Ms. Black, who would be representing herself, Mr. Bachand, who would be representing two people, and Mr. Wilfert, who would be representing three people. We also have a hybrid chair, someone who must stand by and who represents five other people.

As I see it, the steering committee should reflect the composition of the main committee. A member of our party should have a voice on the steering committee, for the two reasons that I have already outlined. First of all, even though he is from the same political party as us, the Chair must be able to assume the role of Chair. It is not the duty of the Chair to remain neutral, but rather to act as an arbitrator in committee, in addition to representing his colleagues.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Hold on for just a second.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, we are discussing an issue that has already been dealt with by the amendment. We already have another amendment here. The amendment was for clerical reasons. I don't know if it's here in English. We asked to have present one representative from the whip's office of each political party.

To remind my colleague here, it's a steering committee. The final decision-making will be with the full committee, so it's totally irrelevant. I suggest, because we dealt with the first amendment, that we go to my amendment and see. If we need to go formal, let's do it. But deal with the amendment that I was putting forward—with respect, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I apologize. I didn't realize you'd put that amendment forward. I thought you said you were going to deal with it at another time.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

No. We have to work on your French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I was listening here.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

If I may, Mr. Chair, I have another amendment, but I agree that we should discuss the amendment that is on the table. So I'll just keep my comments for the amendment, for which I'm sure I can get some nice support.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I know staff was mentioned, but it's mentioned for an in camera meeting. So you're suggesting that staff be here, at least one member from each party, at the steering committees. That's your amendment.

(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to move an amendment.

The representative nature of the steering committee must always be considered. The composition of the steering committee must reflect representation in the House. For that very reason, my amendment calls for another member of the government party to be appointed to the steering committee, for the sake of democracy. I mentioned two reasons earlier. Even though he serves on this body, the Chair has a role to play. This additional member would allow us to direct our requests to the committee through one of the government members.

So then, my motion calls for the appointment of an additional government member.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Okay, we've heard that amendment. I don't know if we need any more discussion on that.

Ms. Gallant.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Thank you for the amendment. You're reading my mind, Mr. Blaney. In fact I was just consulting with our researchers for some institutional memory, and they did confirm that from time to time, in addition to the chair of the steering committee, there has been a member of the government on the steering committee. So I support that amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Okay.

Mr. Hawn.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

To add to that, obviously I support that amendment. If the committee or subcommittee feels threatened by the presence of the parliamentary secretary—which didn't seem to cause a problem last time—then obviously this would be a fair solution or a compromise to that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I'm going to call the question on the recent amendment to add one member of the government.

(Amendment negatived)

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, I would like to propose another amendment: that the parliamentary secretary sit on the steering committee as an advisory member, as was done last time, and that seemed to work just fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

A non-voting advisory member?

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Exactly.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Just a second.

Make clear what you're proposing.

[Laurie Hawn, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

What I'm proposing is, as was done the last time, at the last evolution of this committee, the parliamentary secretary sat with the steering committee just as an advisor, a non-voting advisor. That worked well last time and didn't seem to cause any problems, and I see no reason that shouldn't continue this time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

Okay.

Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chair, we have some amazing analysts. Therefore, we really have no need for advisors. We cannot take a roundabout way of achieving something that we have already dealt with directly.

Regarding the motion now on the table, amendments concerning the composition of the committee have been moved and rejected. Therefore, since we' ve already ruled on the composition of the committee, I would think that this amendment is

out of order, because we already settled that issue. So voting or not voting is not the point here; it's what should be composed because of that.

We like you. Don't take anything personally.

I think we've already dealt with that issue, and I would propose that we vote on the main motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rick Casson]

I suppose it's not a direct member of the subcommittee, because it will not be a voting member, Denis, but I do believe it has something to do with the composition of the meetings. So I'm inclined just to bring it to a vote, and then we'll move on.