Evidence of meeting #15 for Natural Resources in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transition.
A video is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
I believe that Mr. Angus, Mr. Maguire and I thought that the committee would be meeting with each minister for an hour.
When these types of changes are made, it might be a good idea to let us know in advance, rather than presenting us with a fait accompli. This may have helped us to plan for Mr. Guilbeault to go first, followed by Mr. Wilkinson. Now we're faced with a fait accompli, which is a little annoying.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Invitations to ministers are always that—invitations—and they come when they can for as long as they can. I was always under the impression that we had the ministers for one hour.
In any event, it's now 5:30. This is not committee business. I suggest we adjourn and move on.
Thank you.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, you've dropped some news on us about what we thought was an agreement that ministers would come here for an hour each, and they're in fact coming for a combined one hour. That's half an hour each.
I do think it's something we should discuss here and come to a conclusion on, one way or another, before we adjourn today.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John Aldag
The comment I'll make is that we invited the ministers. The ministers let us know when they're available, and they've come back and said that this is what they can offer.
As I said, I'm happy to go back to them. We have a day to see how much of the two hours we can try to get with them. I've been told that they do have things they need to move on to, but I don't know what that drop-dead time is on Wednesday. We'll go back and we'll find out.
I have Mr. Angus.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I'll say it again: This is not committee business.
I move to adjourn the meeting.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
The chair has indicated that he will invite the ministers again. Having done this myself in the past, I know that all you can do is extend an invitation. You don't control the answer.
I move to adjourn.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John Aldag
With a motion to adjourn, we need to call a vote.
I count five in favour.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I don't want us to lose Wednesday, so we'll fight this on another day.
I will fight it on another day, but I don't want to lose Wednesday with the ministers.