Evidence of meeting #5 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A video is available from Parliament.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
I would like to mention two things with the clerk.
First, in the current context, I would like to move the following motion:
That the Chair be authorized to set the schedule for the committee's meetings for the study of WE Charity and schedule them as soon as possible.
In English, it's “That the Chair be authorized to set the schedule for the committee’s meetings for the study on WE Charity and schedule them as soon as possible.”
Mr. Green.
2:20 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Certainly without casting any aspersions, does that mean there's an open date? If it's up to the will of the chair, could it be the case that members don't make themselves available until October?
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Mr. Green, what I would like to.... It's not finished yet, but one of the proposals is that we're going to look at the agenda and what is available—rooms, technical, everything. Also, I think we're going to have a virtual subcommittee to discuss.... Is it not possible to have a virtual subcommittee? We have people who are going to have to travel. We're going to have to find ways to establish the agenda.
If I understand correctly, the committee members want this to happen as soon as possible. What is more, the amended motion sets a date in September. So we will respect the committee wishes.
Mr. Arseneault, go ahead.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
That's the date on which we will be able to hear from witnesses. Is that correct?
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes.
As I said, we cannot say now how much time exactly it will take or when we will be able to do it. We have to check availabilities, and there is a lot of legwork to do.
However, we can decide today on a date when a representative from each party will send a list of witnesses we would like to invite to appear before the committee. We can choose a date so that we can set the meeting schedule.
Mrs. Romanado, go ahead.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
Sherry Romanado Liberal Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC
Can we suggest a date, like August 30, by which the names must be sent to the Chair? That would give you about two weeks.
2:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes.
We do not need to vote, since we all agree.
So, you have until August 30 to send the list of witnesses you would like to hear from in committee, so that we can use the list as a basis for determining the number of witnesses.
The subcommittee's main concern would be to determine the number of witnesses per meeting. That is what we are going to discuss as soon as possible.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
2:25 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I want you to know that you have my full confidence when it comes to the logistics of holding these meetings.
Now, as my colleague Mr. Arseneault said earlier, it would be good if we could decide on the number of meetings. Currently, we have six witnesses. So we will need at least three meetings. We also need to plan for other witnesses. Are we limiting ourselves? We should agree to four or five meetings.
In my view, four meetings would be fine. I do not know if my colleagues would agree.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
How do you feel about booking four meetings? Would that work for everyone?
Mr. Arseneault, you have the floor.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I would like to bring up one last issue, if that is okay with everyone.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Because I am so far away, it is hard for me to attend subcommittee meetings.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
As a parliamentarian, I have to drive for nine and a half hours to come here, and Air Canada no longer flies to where I live. No other explanation is necessary. We could skip the subcommittee for now and rely on the Chair and the clerk. That is my opinion. I do not know if everyone agrees.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I do not see why we need to meet in subcommittee, if "virtual" is no longer an option, of course.
2:25 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I was going to say that we could do it virtually, but if that is not possible, I am willing to let the—
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes.
The clerk and committee staff members will be here to guide you. To sum up, we agree that, by August 30, a representative from each party will send the list of witnesses and then we will focus on four meetings to debate the motion as amended.
2:25 p.m.
Conservative
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Yes, to consider this motion.
Mr. Arseneault, you have the floor.
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I am going to back up a bit. Will the meetings be two, three or four hours long? Usually, they last for two hours and we need the unanimous consent of all committee members to extend them. How does it work with COVID-19?
2:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
I understand what you are saying, but again, I cannot give you an answer. We will have to see what is available in terms of rooms, equipment, and so on. You will be informed as soon as possible of potential dates for the meetings. In addition, we need to think about calling witnesses and making sure they are available. All of these things come into play. Please know that we will act in good faith and that we intend to carry out this study properly.
With that, I adjourn the meeting, and bid you safe travels.
The meeting is adjourned.