Evidence of meeting #1 for Public Accounts in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Angela Crandall
Dillan Theckedath  Committee Researcher

11:10 a.m.

NDP

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.

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON

Thank you.

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

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.

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

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.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

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.

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

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

11:10 a.m.

Liberal

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.

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

Mr. Green.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

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.

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

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.

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

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.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

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)

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

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.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

Will those meals be provided here in the riding?

11:15 a.m.

NDP

Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON

If I could, Madam Chair....

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

Mr. Green.

11:15 a.m.

NDP

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.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Green.

Are there any other comments?

(Motion agreed to)

Great.

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

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)

11:15 a.m.

Liberal

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.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

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

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

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

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

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.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kelly Block

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

11:15 a.m.

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.