Evidence of meeting #29 for Public Accounts in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was fraser.
A recording is available from Parliament.
October 28th, 2010 / 12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Well, I think that sounds very reasonable.
If we're talking about timelines, I should remind Mr. Bains that his motion actually came in only 24 hours ahead of time, and not 48 hours, as according to the rules.
So your motion was out of bounds when it comes to time as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Before we get into that argument, we've already had a discussion on this and the motion was accepted as being in order and received on time. So let's not review that discussion.
We do have something coming this afternoon, and I think we all have an indication of what we might do if the information isn't forthcoming post-haste.
Mr. D'Amours.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Very briefly, I'd simply like to know when our clerk received this call. Was it on Monday after the meeting?
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
I have some very quick points, Chair.
First of all, I did give 48 hours' notice for the motion, so that's one to clarify.
Secondly, I don't think it's reasonable that on the day the department was supposed to provide the information they gave an open-ended response, saying they had reasons for the delay and not indicating what those reasons are. I don't think that's appropriate or reasonable. That's why I've now asked you, the chair, to make sure the department does provide specific reasons, if there are any, for why they're not providing the information.
As Madam Faille has indicated, this information should have been forthcoming a long time go. The fact that now we put a timeline on it, and they wait till the day of, just to tell us over the phone that they need additional time and not indicate why is not reasonable, fair, or appropriate.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Mr. Chair, I think we should move on to the next item on the agenda, which is to discuss the chair's involvement in making questions during the witness time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Fair enough.
We have about 30 seconds, but you can speak with Mr. Kramp and all of the other members on the steering committee, and we can take that up then.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
I'd just like to point out that today, Mr. Chair, you took 10 minutes of questions. That's, in fact, about 50% more than what I had. I don't think that is appropriate, and I think you realize that, so I hope in future you will guide yourself accordingly.
Liberal
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
If you look at past practice in past transcripts, it's clearly evident the chair has intervened in the past as well. I think if you want to do a proper analysis, take into consideration past precedent, and then compare it with the interventions today. That'll probably be a better barometer than making numbers up on the spot.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
I totally disagree with you on that, Mr. Bains. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joe Volpe
Okay, thank you very much.
We'll raise this in steering committee.
The meeting is adjourned.