Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Claude Bachand Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
If the Chair decides to invite 10 people from the same organization to testify, can that decision be overturned?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
It says “discretion of the chair”, so I'm not sure you can.
That's a good question.
Bloc
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
I'll promise you that I'll never have ten representatives from one organization.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
There will be one from each recognized party, I'm sure.
We're good with witnesses' expenses, then?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Staff at in camera meetings: That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.
You've moved that.
Are there any changes?
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
I have an amendment, Mr. Chair. I'd just like to add that in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Everybody in favour of that?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
In camera meeting transcripts: 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.
The one issue that has arisen in the past—and our new clerk isn't with us—is that the media has gone after the clerk to get the minutes. Until those minutes are approved, there's one copy in the....
Oh, these are in camera minutes. The other one dealt with the unapproved minutes of a committee meeting being made available. We just don't do that—until all of you have an opportunity to see the blues.
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Notice of motions: 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 clerk of the committee and distributed to members in both official languages.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
I think there's general consensus on that one. Good, thank you.
(Motion agreed to)
NDP
Dawn Black NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
I ask for your clarification, because I have two motions to bring forward to the committee, and I don't know if they will be considered substantive or not. So if people agree with the motions, perhaps this will be enough; if not, I'll give the 48-hour notice.
The first motion would be to reintroduce the evidence that was heard for our study on post-traumatic stress disorder and the issues of health in the Canadian Forces. Since we did all that work, had all those hearings, and had all that testimony, the next step, of course, was to write our report.
The calling of the election meant that all of the testimony went out the window. So if I have the agreement of everybody around the table, I would move that we reintroduce that evidence, so that we can carry on and finish the business we started in the 39th Parliament and write the report on post-traumatic stress disorder.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
I apologize again, as I got to the bottom of the second page of routine motions, but now see that there's a third page. So we'll hold in abeyance your comments, and then I think we'll be able to deal with them.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rick Casson
Oh, good.
Now we go to the allocation of time for witnesses. This is as it was approved the last time. This is just as it was. But I wonder, because the committee composition has been changed....
Mr. Hawn, do you have a suggestion?
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
We need an amendment, Mr. Chair, because the makeup of the committee has changed numerically.
In terms of the timing, we're fine with having ten, seven, and five minutes. But the speaking order in the first round should be Liberal, Bloc, NDP, Conservative. Then in the second round, it should alternate between opposition members and government members: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Conservative. That way, everybody has a kick at....
So the first round would be Liberal, Bloc, NDP, Conservative for seven minutes. And then the second round would be Liberal, Conservative, Bloc, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Conservative.
