Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Andrew Wilson
Martin Auger  Analyst

3:55 p.m.

Bloc

Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC

I wanted to say the same thing as Ms. O'Connell.

The only thing I would add is that, as far as I know, the whips haven't discussed this. We are talking about a member of a whip's office coming in to help us.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

I have Mr. May and then Mr. Spengemann.

December 15th, 2021 / 3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON

I would echo Ms. O'Connell's comments. In addition, it gets a little complex in offices like mine—and I'm sure in many others—where interns are not there just for experiential learning and are actually fully paid staff. The term “intern” can mean a lot of different things on the Hill. The concept that we would exclude somebody because they're not a full-time, long-term staff member is problematic.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

I'm going to go to Mr. Spengemann, but I see two Yves Robillards here: one apparently in person and one on the screen.

3:55 p.m.

Voices

Oh, oh!

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON

Chair, congratulations on your election. I look forward to working with you and colleagues.

Just for the record, Mr. Chair, I strongly support the comments of my colleague, Ms. O'Connell. I've served on this committee since 2015, and it has certainly not been my experience that anybody was excluded for security reasons and related to having the status of an intern.

This committee does not have any security screens, unlike NSICOP, where people actually receive an elevated security clearance. It's my strong view, first of all, that there are no systematic security considerations attached to interns who come from—and I'm using Ms. Gallant's words—“foreign countries”, and, secondly, that any MP who is engaging a staff member, including interns, does so at her or his full discretion, with the appropriate House of Commons clearances and security screens, and those folks should be given the opportunity to enter these processes, as would other regular paid staff members.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

I'm not seeing anyone else.

Ms. Gallant, you proposed this. Are you satisfied with the comments of colleagues?

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Well, it would appear that an amendment would not pass.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

An amendment would not pass, so it's the motion as it is before you.

(Motion agreed to)

On transcripts of in camera meetings, I know that Mr. May is keen to read that into the record.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bryan May Liberal Cambridge, ON

On transcripts of in camera meetings, I move:

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 or by their staff; and that the analysts assigned to the committee also have access to the in camera transcripts.

(Motion agreed to)

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

The next is on notices of motion, Ms. O'Connell.

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

First, on a point of order, Chair, I'd like to go in camera, please.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

It's a non-debatable motion.

(Motion negatived)

We have 15 minutes left on bells. Let's use that time.

On notice of motion, I have Ms. O'Connell.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON

I move:

That a 48-hour notice, interpreted as two nights, be required for any substantive motion to be moved in committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that: (a) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; (b) the motion be distributed to Members and the offices of the whips of each recognized party in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; (c) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day; and that when the committee is holding meetings outside the Parliamentary Precinct, no substantive motion may be moved.

4 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Is there discussion?

Go ahead.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB

I'm curious. Should things get out of hand again with the pandemic, what does that do to hybrid sittings of the committee? We're not on precinct. What does that do to our ability to move substantive motions? Is the committee in a hybrid sitting still considered to be on precinct?

4 p.m.

A voice

Mr. Motz, we're fine.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB

Fair enough. Thank you.

4 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Is there any other discussion?

Cheryl.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

I'm questioning why “4:00 p.m.” and “and the offices of the whips of each recognized party” are highlighted in yellow. Is that something different from the usual?

4 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

It's a bit of a change. It's related to the whips' access to the motions. Instead of having to run around, they can go directly to the clerk and get them.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Very good. Thank you.

(Motion agreed to)

4 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

On orders of reference from the House respecting bills, this is a long one, so we'll give it to the one who is the most educated.

Sven.

4 p.m.

Liberal

Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm going to read the next motion in French. It pertains to the orders of reference from the House respecting bills.

That in relation to orders of reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) The clerk of the committee shall, upon the committee receiving such an order of reference, write to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee to invite those members to file with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the committee consider;

(b) Suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given bill; and

(c) During the clause-by-clause consideration of a bill, the Chair shall allow a member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

4 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Is there discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

On technical tests for witnesses, James or John. That sounds like a biblical theme here.