Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was minutes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
If we were to decide to do an in camera meeting—for instance, if the chief of the defence staff were to come and the committee actually wanted to have that done in camera—would it allow for that kind of thing? Is it that every public meeting be televised? Yes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon
All in favour of adopting this as an additional routine motion?
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
That's the end of the routine motions now.
Is it the committee's wish to discuss the composition of the subcommittee or is that something you want to save for later on?
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
No, Madam Chair. I think you'd want to get that set up sooner rather than later, because we need to start planning for our work. We have very little time between now and the end of March to start planning that work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon
The subcommittee on agenda and procedure requires a member from each party. We don't have to have the names now, but they should go to the clerk by the end of the day.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Traditionally, the vice-chairs have been on it. We need to have one from the Liberals and one from the NDP. I think it's pretty straightforward.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon
All right. We have Mr. Bezan, Mr. Boudrias, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Baker and me on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
I think we should discuss future business. I have already been referred supplementary estimates (B). They need to be reported back to the House by March 23. That leaves us only three meetings between now and then.
I move the following motion, which I have in French and English and will circulate:
That the Committee invite the Minister of National Defence to appear regarding Supplementary Estimates (B), 2019-20 before March 13th, 2020 for no fewer than two hours, and that the meeting be televised.
We have a break week the first week of March. We have a break week the third week of March. We have as potential meeting days this coming Wednesday, and March 9 and 11.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
I could pass on the information that we should try to do it before March 13, but I think saying “before March 23” might be more realistic, just to make sure it is before the end of that day when we do have to report back.
Perhaps we could amend the motion to say “before March 23”. I will endeavour to try to get the minister earlier than that, but that would give some flexibility based on schedules.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
The only reason I didn't put March 23 was that on March 23 it's reported back. Even though March 23 is our meeting day, I believe routine proceedings in the House would take place right after question period. It pre-empts us having a meeting on March 23.
Supplementary estimates are all deemed reported on March 23. We aren't sitting the week of March 16. That's why I put March 13. It's logical for what we have to do.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
I believe in the last Parliament there was not a single time when we had the minister before it was deemed passed in the House. This time we want to endeavour to have him come before the committee before it's deemed already voted on and sent to the House.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon
At the other committees I've been involved with, we have had the minister for an hour and the officials.
Madam Vandenbeld.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Just going back to the date, perhaps we could get clarification. I think it's by March 26, in fact, that we have to report back. I don't know if there's anyone from the clerk's office who might be able to clarify that.
If it is March 26, then I would go back to saying “before March 23”. Again, I'll see if he can come before then, but perhaps we could do it before March 23.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Although March 26 is the last opposition day of the cycle, it all needs to be reported back three days before. That's how supplementary estimates are designed. To deal with motions of supply, the last supply day is March 26. Mark it back three days and it's March 23. All supplementary (B)s have to be back to the House or deemed reported back as studied, even though we might not get a chance to study them.
Liberal
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
On the point you were making, yes, I think it's standard that ministers would come for an hour in most cases. Then the officials would stay for the second hour.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Well, historically, minority governments, both Conservative and now Liberal, will have....
Larry, you and I were here back in 2004. Ministers used to sit at the end of the table for two hours back in the day. We expected them to be here for two hours.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Instead of putting in a date, perhaps we can say, “before the supplementary estimates have to be reported back to the House from the committee”.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
We're not going to be having a meeting during the break week.
As the parliamentary secretary, you must know the minister's calendar. You should be able to get this done before the 13th. I know when I was PS, I always had it.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Yes, “before the supplementary estimates are deemed reported back to the House”.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
The report would have to be prepared in both official languages for presentation.