National Defence Committee on Dec. 15th, 2021

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

I move:

That the clerk inform each witness who is to appear before the committee that the House administration support team must conduct technical tests to check the connectivity and the equipment used to ensure the best possible sound quality; and that the Chair advise the committee, at the start of each meeting, of any witness who did not perform the required technical tests.

(Motion agreed to)

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

So be it and so ordered.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

On linguistic review,

Ms. Normandin, could you please read the motion in French.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I'd be happy to. I move the following:

That all documents submitted for committee business that do not come from a federal department, members’ offices, or that have not been translated by the Translation Bureau be sent for prior linguistic review by the Translation Bureau before being distributed to members.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Is there discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

I have Mr. Spengemann first and then Ms. Gallant.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have just a brief point of order. In light of the recent motion to go in camera, I'm just wondering.... In the 43rd Parliament, just for the benefit of members of the committee, a move in camera at that time required a logistical switch to a different link and took to the tune of about 10 minutes to achieve.

I'm just wondering if there could be a brief update on the current technological implications of a motion to go in camera and then, conversely, if the committee were to start in camera, for a motion to come out of camera and to resume in a public setting.

[The Clerk]

Thank you, Mr. Spengemann. I can speak to that.

There is a switchover that's required from a technical standpoint. It takes 10 to 15 minutes for the services to switch us over. That said, we have the capabilities to do so should a motion come forward at any point, either if we start in public to go in camera, or if we start in camera to move back to in public. We have the ability to do so, but as you say, there is a delay in doing that.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Just for clarification, Mr. Clerk, it's a delay in either direction. It doesn't matter which way we started; it's still a 10-minute delay.

[The Clerk]

That's my understanding, yes.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

With that being the case, when we return after the vote, can we move now that we would go in camera upon return?

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Well, first of all we have to establish that there's a will on the part of the committee to return here after the vote. If there is a will to do that and, if you will, scope out a committee agenda for the next few weeks and months, then the question is, do you want to come back in camera? Is that fine?

[Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal, Pickering—Uxbridge, ON]

Mr. Chair, could I also recommend that, perhaps, if there are members who want to discuss moving forward the agenda of the committee, they do so in the subcommittee? It is now established, now that we have gone through routine proceedings. That would be instead of trying to rush between votes and that sort of thing.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Christine.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

I wanted to respond to what Ms. O'Connell said. If no motions have been put on notice, I don't see the point of having a subcommittee. However, it might be useful if we could put motions on notice before thinking about the creation of the subcommittee and its meeting.

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

Chair, we're coming up on the five and a half minute mark for votes. You no longer have consent to keep this meeting going. I think we should go.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

I want to establish a will of the committee to return, so I'll suspend.

Do you want to suspend and come back in—

[A voice]

We should just adjourn.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

You don't want to come back.

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

If we decide now that we go, as Ms. O'Connell suggested, and that we don't come back, we have all the motions and everything come forward with the subcommittee. Then the subcommittee can determine a way forward—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Does the subcommittee want to meet now?

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

No, because Kerry-Lynne's not here.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

My concern is that we basically blow six weeks if we don't—

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

You could still call a meeting during the break if you wanted the subcommittee.... It's at the call of the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

I know, but it would be better....

I'm in the hands of the committee, but it seems to be wasting—

[Glen Motz, Conservative, Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB]

It would be nice to keep the analysts busy over the next six weeks.