Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 15th, 2020

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you.

They read, “That...witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance”.

If need be, for the operation of other committees, we found that by having these statements in advance, the witnesses could provide extended statements, which offset the need for them to have more time, rather than having them come in at 10 minutes, off the cuff.

Quite frankly, it also ensures that we have the proper translations in advance for our French colleagues; or if they're francophones, then English translations in advance.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Are there any other comments or questions?

Again, just to clarify, the amendment would change the length of 10 minutes for opening statements to five, that we would require their opening remarks 72 hours in advance, and that we would change the order of the questioners for the second round.

Mr. Fergus.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Madam Chair, through you to Mr. Green, I would like to ask a question.

I have been supportive of this amendment. I just want to make sure that this 72-hour requirement is best practices but we wouldn't refuse somebody to give an opening statement if they didn't meet that requirement.

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

No, I don't think that would be the spirit or intent, but we want to encourage people to come prepared and to provide translated documents for everybody.

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

It makes it a lot easier for us to follow the remarks as well.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

I'm going to start raising my hand in the “participants” function.

Chair, through you to Mr. Green, thank you.

In committees' past practices, sometimes you don't invite witnesses until a day or two before. Sometimes that's just the nature of the parliamentary calendar and committee schedule.

If that is the spirit, if it's possible to provide written correspondence 72 hours in advance, that would be great. It's not a requirement, but only if possible. In that spirit I'm supportive of the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Mr. Green.

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Thank you.

It may help some of my Liberal friends across the way to know that it was in fact the Liberals who put this initially in PROC. I know there was a lot of discussion and debate there, but we're just following that best practice that was laid out by our friends in the Liberal caucus.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Thank you very much, Mr. Green.

Is there any further discussion on this amendment? If not, we will vote on it.

(Amendment agreed to)

Now I believe we need to vote on the motion as amended.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Thank you.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Thank you.

We will move on to the next motion, which reads:

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Is there any discussion? There is none.

I see that everyone is in favour of that motion.

(Motion agreed to)

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

The next one reads:

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Will those meals be provided here in the riding?

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

If I could, Madam Chair....

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Mr. Green.

[Matthew Green, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

This was also discussed. The conversation was brought up with very sound critiques, given COVID and the hybrid scenario that we're in. I think where we landed or what made the most sense was that we put in that caveat for people who are in town for in-person meetings, otherwise, for obvious reasons, we wouldn't want to have food ordered for a room that was unattended. Knowing how literally some of this stuff plays out, once it's moved and carried, I just want to make sure that we're clear that this is for in-person meetings only upon the RSVP of members.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Green.

Are there any other comments?

(Motion agreed to)

Great.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

The next reads:

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.

(Motion agreed to)

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

The next reads:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff person at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, I was raising my hand to say something.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

I'm sorry, Mr. Berthold, please go ahead.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I just want to find out how our employees can access Zoom committee meetings. Can they log on directly to hear what is being said simultaneously and without delay, so they can give us good advice? On ParlVU, there is always a time lag. I'd like to know what the situation is. I've asked the clerk, and I've been told that there are phone numbers to call to listen to the meeting, but it's difficult to follow the meeting live.

I want to know what the committee's position is with regard to our assistants.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Madam Clerk, would you be able to speak to the logistics of what Mr. Berthold has raised?

[The Clerk]

Certainly. It's my understanding that the member can have one member from their office present at the in camera Zoom meeting. Also, the telephone numbers we provide during regular meetings give them real-time access, so it's not like ParlVU. They should be hearing us as we speak.