Official Languages Committee on Nov. 4th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

It doesn't matter; we can always amend the motion later.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

We'll have a recorded vote on the amendment. I'll pass the floor to the clerk.

(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)

We're now back to the main motion.

Is there any debate on the main motion?

Monsieur Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I would agree with the opposition's request that a committee member could be accompanied by a researcher. In return, I would like to add an assistant to the parliamentary secretary to a minister to the list. Then I think we would have an agreement.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Are you asking another committee member to move an amendment to your motion?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I can do it. Let us work on it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay, you need to ask for—

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I do not want us to do the work for nothing. So I will wait to see whether the folks on the other side agree with that proposal.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

A member may not move an amendment to his or her own motion. But Ms. Bateman can move an amendment for you.

Would you be willing to move Mr. Gourde's amendment?

[Joyce Bateman, Conservative, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay, so we have an amendment on the floor.

Monsieur Gourde, could you repeat Madame Bateman's amendment?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

The motion would read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one of his or her staff person, in addition to one staff person from the office of the Whip of each party, at in camera meetings or another staff member, for example, a research officer, and a government staff member who is the parliamentary secretary’s assistant.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

We have an amendment in front of the committee.

(Amendment agreed to)

We're back to the main motion as amended.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Could I clarify one thing? Ms. Bateman's amendment mentions a research officer, right?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

It mentions a staff member from each party or a research officer. Researchers are acceptable because, basically, they are staff members.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

Can you repeat your amendment?

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

Committee members can be accompanied by a staff member from each party; that includes a research officer and the parliamentary secretary's assistant.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

Are there other routine motions members would like to present and discuss?

Monsieur Gourde.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC]

I have the following motion:

That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Is there debate?

Monsieur Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I have an amendment. I would like to add “or by one of their staff members authorized by the Committee member” after the words “by members of the committee”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Okay.

So we have an amendment before us.

Is there debate on the amendment?

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I have heard some people say that we would be able to take the transcripts and pass them on to them. However, we cannot take the documents out. They must stay where they are. We have to go and consult them. We cannot bring them to our offices. That applies to you as well. If members want to check what was said in the transcripts, they could authorize a staff member to do that so that no time is wasted.

I am sure we can rely on those people. They go to in camera meetings and they know what happens in them. In this case, all they would have to do is look at the transcripts and note what is in them. Sometimes, we want to check the transcripts of in camera meetings just to refresh our memories. That is why I am suggesting the addition that a trusted member of our staff can consult them. It is not difficult.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Godin.

Mr. Chisu, go ahead.

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

I just want to ask if you are authorizing the staff to go to consult in camera. You still bear the responsibility if something is leaked.