National Defence Committee on Feb. 18th, 2016

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I'd like to move a motion.

While we're waiting here until the subcommittee actually sets up the agenda, the rest of us would like to.... Maybe we can start having some committee meetings while the work is getting organized.

I would suggest that we invite the minister to appear at committee on the supplementary estimates (C) and on the mandate letter he received from the Prime Minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Is there discussion?

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I would ask our parliamentary secretary, Mr. McKay, whether he is aware of the minister's availability.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I'm not aware of the minister's availability, but certainly on supplementary estimates (C) he would be expected to appear, and I think would covet the chance to appear.

On the secondary issue of his mandate letter, I can't speak for the minister at this point, but I don't know why he wouldn't as well. I think the minister wants to establish a good working relationship with the committee and make himself as available as possible under the circumstances.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

That's to be determined, then, but it will happen quickly, by Tuesday of next week. We'll get a subcommittee together and we'll figure out the way forward.

Obviously the thing that's on the agenda for sure is supplementary estimates (C) and then the direction that this committee is going to go in the future. Supplementary estimates (C) is the only thing on the agenda that we have to get through prior to the new budget. We haven't received them yet, but we're going to get them.

Mr. Garrison.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

My contacts with the minister have been quite generous, and I know he wishes to be transparent and appear at committee.

I support Mr. Bezan's suggestion that we ask the minister to appear. Given the minister's schedules, the earlier you get a request in, the more likely you are to get the minister and to find a convenient time for the minister to appear.

I think the suggestion that we invite the minister to appear and discuss his mandate letter is a good one. I don't think we need to wait for the steering committee, if there's agreement around the table, to issue that invitation to the minister, which would allow him to arrange his schedule.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Yes, I think that's wise. We can put the request in to have the minister come at the next scheduled committee meeting. Prior to that we'll meet as a subcommittee/steering committee and figure out which direction we're going to go in moving forward.

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

I'll move we invite the minister to appear at his earliest convenience to discuss his mandate letter.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

And supplementary estimates (C).

[Randall Garrison, NDP, Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, BC]

And supplementary estimates (C), once they're presented.

All right. I move:

That the Committee invite the Minister of National Defence to appear at his earliest opportunity for a briefing session on his mandate letter; and that, should the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2015-16 be referred to the Committee, the Minister be also invited in relation to the study of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2015-16.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Okay.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

It will go from your mouth to my ear to the minister's.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

All right. Is there any more discussion on that?

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

I move that we adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Yes. The meeting is adjourned.