Evidence of meeting #1 for Natural Resources in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
I'm going to make another amendment--and maybe we can come to some consensus here--to put a period after the word “present”, so it reads: “provided that at least 4 members are present.” It wouldn't name the opposition or the government; it would just say that four members are present and can hear evidence. So it would open it up.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
The amendment is that the motion as presented end with a period after the word “present”.
You have heard the proposed amendment. Is there any further discussion on the amendment?
Mr. Anderson.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
I think, Mr. Chair, we're treating each other equally if we do this, because obviously the opposition is saying that they want the ability to call meetings without our being there necessarily. We're saying we're not going to be doing that anyway. We think that having four members present is good enough to hear witnesses. Whatever the mixture is, there will be four members here. I think we're operating in good faith, not in bad faith. Hopefully we can do that. I think this is reasonable. Provided that at least four members are present, we can hear the witnesses and then go from there.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Is there any further discussion on the proposed amendment?
Madame Brunelle.
3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
Out of respect for the witnesses who appear, I think that it is important that they see that all points of view are represented in Canada, and therefore that members of opposition parties are present. To me, that seems crucial. I would not look kindly on one party only being represented at the committee and witnesses not being able to testify before people for whom they have voted and who represent them.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
We have already defeated a proposed amendment that would have ensured that there would be one member from each recognized party here. We're now dealing with the amendment by Mr. Anderson, which ends with a period after “at least 4 members present.”
Mr. Bains.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Is there any further discussion? We'll go to the vote, then, on the amendment.
(Amendment negatived)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
We now go back to the motion as proposed, which is as written.
Mr. Bains.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
I'd like to call a vote on the original motion.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Anderson made an interesting point, and I'm trying to mull it over, but I think what is implicit in our system, whether it's clear or not, is that the government will be represented. In terms of natural justice, it's important that there be opposition. I infer from this that the onus is on the opposition to be there. I hope you'll look at it that way. We have much more confidence in the government being present. We just want to make sure there's a balanced reception for the committees that count.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
You've heard the motion. Is there any further discussion?
(Motion agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Number four, distribution of documents. Are there any proposals there?
Mr. Regan.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I propose that you adopt the motion adopted in the last session:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
You have heard the motion. Is there any discussion on the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Next is the motion on working meals. Are there any proposals? We're not going to get into the menu.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I hope the chairman isn't going to be stingy about this and prevent this from happening when members are starving sitting through long sessions. If it's at the discretion of the chair, I don't know. I hope we can be confident.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Take a look at the chair and then decide.
We need somebody to make a motion there.
Mr. Trost, what is your motion?
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
I move that we adopt the motion as it was adopted in the previous Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
You've heard the motion.
(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Bill Siksay NDP Burnaby—Douglas, BC
Mr. Chair, I'd move the routine motion that's in the first column, but with one addition: that, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, child care, and living expenses be reimbursed. I would add the words “child care” after “accommodation”, but otherwise the motion would remain the same.