Subcommittee on Private Members' Business Committee on March 24th, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming.

First of all, I want to extend my sincere condolences, once again, to the members of the Conservative caucus for your loss this week. It's affected everyone, but your caucus is going through some tough times. Again, you have our condolences for that.

I also want to welcome everyone to our first committee on private members' bills. I know that we've all been anxiously waiting to start this, because many of our members in all caucuses want to start presenting their bills.

I'm going to turn it over to Alexandre to walk us through the business of the day.

[Alexandre Lavoie, Committee Researcher]

You received a note describing all of the criteria that need to be applied to each bill. I don't know if you'd like me to read those criteria again before we start, but I could do that.

The first criteria is that bills and motions must not concern questions that are outside federal jurisdiction. Next, bills and motions must not clearly violate the Constitution Acts, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Bills and motions must not concern questions that are substantially the same as one already voted on by the House of Commons in the current session of Parliament, or as one preceding them in the order of precedence. That shouldn't be an issue for this meeting.

Bills and motions must not concern questions that are currently on the order paper or notice paper as items of government business.

I'll read a short summary of each item. If we see something where there's an issue, I'll explain the issue and then let the chair have a vote to decide whether the bill is votable or non-votable.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

There's been some brief chatter among the parties. We're in agreement, in general, to accept all of the bills as votable at this time, if you'd like to. If there's the consent of the committee, I'm happy to do that.

We appreciate the research. We've all read it. If you guys are in agreement....

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

Is that the wish of the committee?

[A voice]

Bills and motions...?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

For verification, that's bills and motions.

Do we have unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

Next is that the subcommittee present a report listing those items that it has determined should not be designated non-votable and recommending that they be considered by the House. Is everyone okay with that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

There is one other item, if I may.

I just wanted to speak to the members to see what day would be more appropriate for having these meetings on a regular basis. I know that several members on the committee belong to PROC. We thought that we could have it right after PROC, if that is suitable to the committee, but we are open to whatever works for the committee members.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

I don't think that causes a problem. I don't know what the others think, but it doesn't cause a problem for me.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Sorry, when is PROC?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

PROC is Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

I have committee.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

It would be after that, so after one o'clock.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

After one o'clock would be fine.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

It would be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on one of those days.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Okay. That should be fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ginette Petitpas Taylor]

That's what we'll plan on then.

Thank you very much. Have a great Easter break, everyone.

The meeting is adjourned.