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.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
This is actually one that the NDP made last time as well. It was turned down by the committee. We didn't feel it was our obligation to be paying those expenses. We were willing to pay the travel, accommodation, and living expenses while they were here as witnesses, but beyond that, we weren't willing to do this.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Mr. Anderson.
Is there any further discussion? Shall we go to the vote? Do you want a little time?
Mr. Bains.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
I just want clarification on the proposed change suggested by the NDP. It says, “if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation”, etc. Under that definition of reasonable travel and accommodation, would child care be included?
4 p.m.
A voice
No.
4 p.m.
Conservative
4 p.m.
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Has there been, at any time in the past, an instance where a witness needed to travel or come here and, under the premise of reasonable travel and accommodation, was allowed to bring their child or children along as well?
4 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I don't think we're certain about that. I know that in my 15 years I've never heard of it, that's all I can say, and the clerk....
We can check, but if we're going to vote now, that makes it a little bit difficult.
We'll go first to Mr. Shory and then to Mr. Trost.
4 p.m.
Conservative
Devinder Shory Conservative Calgary Northeast, AB
Mr. Chair, I suggest that when they talk about the witness, they are talking about the witness, not their extended family.
4 p.m.
Conservative
Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
I was going to make a similar point. This is just sort of odd. We don't need to pay for every little bit of toothpaste or things that a witness may claim. We're just opening this up for all sorts of charges and all sorts of stuff. This is a disgrace.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
The idea of covering child care expenses does not seem excessive to me, especially since it is not going to be a large expense because it is not often requested. It would send women the clear message that we are interested in the light they have to shed. The government is rich enough to pay that.
The reality in the rest of Canada is clearly not the same as in Quebec; not everywhere has affordable daycare. It could be quite expensive for a witness to come here for several days.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Chairman, you'll note, of course, that the first line of the motion as proposed by Mr. Siksay already says “if requested, reasonable travel”, etc. So even the child care expenses, of course, would have to be “reasonable”. Obviously if it doesn't incur any change to someone's child care arrangements, one would think that would not necessarily involve additional child care costs to that person, and therefore you wouldn't be reimbursing them.
My guess is that this is not going to be availed of all that often, but hopefully it may permit someone who otherwise might not be able to attend to do so. It may permit some valuable witness to come here who otherwise couldn't. That's an important consideration.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
I am in favour of Mr. Siksay's motion too. In my opinion, It is a simple desire on the committee's part to reconcile work and family. It an excellent message to send to witnesses, especially since these committee meetings are held during the day. We do not want it to be impossible for them to appear because they have children and family obligations. That must not be a reason for them to be unable to come and testify before the committee.
In the spirit of reconciling work and family, it seems reasonable to me to pay child care expenses. Unlike my colleague Mr. Trost, I do not think we can compare children and toothpaste.
4 p.m.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Again, Mr. Chairman, I'm just recalling the time when we had representatives from first nations groups before us. We were encouraged to have women make presentations. If the link is that it is necessary to have day care or child care for them to appear, then we should encourage that. But obviously, if they already have those day-to-day expenses and it's not necessary to their appearance, then that would have to be determined by the clerk in terms of the clerk's discretion.
I think there's a principle involved here. The principle is one of equity and treating people with the view that we want them to appear before the committee. If there's any encumbrance that exists and it happens to be child care, then that would be one of the reasonable costs associated with their appearance. I don't think that's out of order.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
I think the amendment has been made. I think that's supportable. But the onus will be on the clerk.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Is there any further discussion on the motion?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Next is the motion on staff at in camera meetings. Does anybody want to make a motion there?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion. It's a little bit different from the one last time:
Each committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend any in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.
That's to allow the whip's office or any other House leader to send someone if they want to. That opens it up a little from what we had last time.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative