Evidence of meeting #2 for Official Languages in the 41st Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Here it is:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and that when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Let me clarify something. The building where we meet is part of the parliamentary precinct.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Yes.
Does anyone want to speak to the motion?
Mr. Gourde, the floor is yours.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like a clarification. We are talking about the meetings held outside the parliamentary precinct, correct?
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
That is correct. The motion refers to meetings held outside the parliamentary precinct. For example, we may travel somewhere to meet with people. The idea is for the meeting to begin after 15 minutes, even if some people do not show up. We cannot keep the witnesses waiting because no one shows up.
However, everyone shows up on time within the parliamentary precinct. That is not an issue here.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
So for meetings within the parliamentary precinct, your motion suggests that a quorum consist of seven committee members, including the chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Okay, just let me clarify for members of the committee.
The motion says that reduced quorum is available within the parliamentary precinct, which includes buildings like this, if four members are present, one of whom is from the official opposition, and another of whom is from the government party. If the committee ever decides to meet outside of the parliamentary precinct, the meeting shall begin 15 minutes after indicated in the orders of the day, even if a reduced quorum is not available.
Okay? Does everyone...?
Madame.
Liberal
Lise St-Denis Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
A new issue is being introduced. There are two issues: the quorum and this motion. The second rule applies only when a committee meeting is held somewhere else, when we travel and we want to interview people there. Is that correct?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
The beginning of the motion actually refers to our meetings here when we have witnesses, but we do not have seven committee members.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
We can receive the evidence as long as four committee members are present.
Liberal
Lise St-Denis Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Yes, that's clear, end of story.
Let's talk about the second part now. When we go somewhere else, this is the rule that applies.
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
As well as printing the evidence.
Are we all clear on what the motion says? The motion says that we can have a reduced quorum here simply to receive testimony and publish it on the parliamentary precinct with four members, one of whom is a member of the government party, the other of whom is a member of the opposition party. If we are off the parliamentary precinct in an official committee, after 15 minutes after the meeting was to have started on the orders of the day, the meeting will start, even if there is not a reduced quorum of members present, to receive testimony and to publish it.
Is there any debate on the motion in front of us?
Monsieur Gourde.
Conservative
Jacques Gourde Conservative Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I will oppose this motion, because it can cause substantial harm. For instance, when we travel, a member might be delayed because of a snowstorm. The member will then have to take all the blame for something that was not his fault. Since I know how our friends opposite are, if the member happens to be from the government party, a whole host of negative comments will be made at that person's expense.
At any rate, limits are being imposed.