Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was committees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
That is after “official languages”--“and that the clerk inform witnesses of this requirement....”
NDP
Conservative
Chris Alexander Conservative Ajax—Pickering, ON
Perhaps “the clerk shall inform”--just to give it....
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Seeing no other comments, I call the question.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
On working meals--
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
I have a motion that the chair be fired unless the meals are up to speed.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I'm cooking them.
I need a mover for that, please. It's moved by Mr. Harris.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Witness expenses.
That's moved by Mr. Harris.
Comments?
Madam Gallant.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
I'd just like to ensure that when we endeavour to conduct a study in this committee we look at the budget ahead of time before requesting a huge list of witnesses. Let's make sure we know how much we have to spend within that study and then proceed with witnesses.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Anytime we undertake any study the committee will develop a budget for travel or for inviting witnesses. All travel outside the parliamentary precinct has to be approved by the liaison committee, of which I'll be a member. As well, if we exceed $40,000, even for attending here, if we were calling in a large group of witnesses and it's a fairly substantive study, I have to prepare that. First I'll get approval at this committee and then I'll take it to the liaison committee for approval as well.
There are checks and balances to ensure that we stay on budget.
Other comments?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Staff at in camera meetings.
So moved by Mr. Harris.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Everybody is getting along just great.
In camera meeting transcripts.
So moved by Mr. Harris.
Do you have a question, Cheryl?
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Members of committee--is that regular members?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Members of this committee, the ones who are the regular attending members.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
On the in camera transcripts, I thought there was a provision for staff to look at them as well.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
From a convenience point of view, if you could have a member of your own staff go--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Again, it comes down to when it's in camera, we as members are the ones who are ultimately responsible for confidentiality. We don't want to have a breach of parliamentary privilege.
As chair, I'm somewhat leery of allowing staff.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Yes, but it's also about how they handle in camera documents and documents that are considered to be confidential.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
I agree, but what I'm looking at here is the staff are at the in camera meetings. If a member of the committee wants to consult the transcript to verify something, the member would have to go to the clerk's office and look at the transcript, instead of being able to send a staff member to check the transcript.
I wouldn't want to go beyond the staff member of a member of the committee. It's just for the sake of convenience, I suppose.