Status of Women Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Madam Chair, I would concur with my colleague.

Madam Mathyssen indicated that she often has questions. I think all the people on this side of the table might also have questions. Again, it's about fairness of opportunity.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Madame Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Once again, I find myself wondering why we would change something that has worked well for a long time.

We have worked with this motion for the last few years and it was very good. Sometimes, we have no more questions and the Conservative party can use more time. We have to remember that, at the moment, the Conservative party is still a minority. So the opposition still has more time. Perhaps things will be different next time, unfortunately, but as long as the opposition is in the majority, we are going to use all our rights so that all our members have full use of their time on the floor. I feel that is fair. In the past, we have seen people sharing their time. Five minutes can be split between two people, if necessary.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Madame Demers.

Madam Neville, did you have your hand up?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

You can go over there first, that's fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

All right.

Madame Boucher.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

We never had a problem, but I think that, with new members here, it is important for everyone to be able to speak. Yes, we are still in a minority, that is quite true, but we have always wanted a non-political committee, if possible. We all have our ideals, but, out of respect for all members of the committee, we should at least make sure that everyone has the opportunity to speak.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Madam Neville.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would argue for maintaining it as it is. I know you well, and I that you too would like an opportunity to speak.

This practice has worked well in the past when we've had the opportunity. It's not always an easy one to share our time with colleagues in the course of it. The opening round is seven minutes. Members can divide that up, three and four.

My experience on this committee--as you are undoubtedly aware, I chaired it for a number of years--is that over time there has developed an esprit de corps, I guess, a flexibility. If somebody is really burning to get on the agenda, that kind of flexibility by the chair is built in.

So I am inclined to leave it alone. It has worked in the past.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Madam Neville, the chair is happy to choose the meals, because you're going to get nutritious meals.

Madam Mathyssen.

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

Madam Chair, I'd like to point out we are five on each side, and this would require that there be this evenness of time division and opportunity, and that even at that, the Conservatives do have one extra round. So despite the fact that there are only five, they have the extra round. So I would say it's quite fair and I would like to leave the motion as is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

We are going to vote on the amendment as moved by Madam Davidson.

I see a tie. Gee, this is going to be fun. As chair, I vote against the amendment.

(Amendment negatived)

Now we will go back to the motion as it stands.

(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]

The next one, number eight, is staff at in camera meetings. Will someone move this, please?

Ms. Mendes moves that each committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

Are there any amendments? No?

(Motion agreed to)

Now, on notice of motions, would someone move this, please?

Madame Deschamps moves that except for amendments of bills--

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

We went over number nine, the transcripts.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Oh, the transcripts. I am sorry. Thank you. I stand corrected. Somebody's got to keep me on track. Thank you.

In camera meeting transcripts: that one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.

Any amendments?

Madame Boucher.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I wrote it as follows: “Que les séances à huis clos soient transcrites et que le greffier du comité conserve cette transcription pour une consultation ultérieure par les députés.“

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Members of the committee.

There is a difference between members of the committee and members of Parliament in general. These are in camera sessions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Madame Boucher, your amendment amendment changes it from “members of the committee” to “members of Parliament”.

Speaking to the amendment, Madame Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, two years ago, we on this committee heard a witness in camera. Even though the clerk kept the notes, there were leaks and the person who came to testify in camera had problems as a result. To avoid a repetition of that, I want us to make sure that all documents and notes used in an in camera meeting are collected by the clerk and that nothing remains in the hands of committee members. I found that situation very upsetting and I found it very sad that the person suffered consequences as the result of testifying before us.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

It is true that she was in a real state.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

I do not know how we could draft it. The text does not say “all notes“. Do we really mean that the clerk has to make sure to collect notes from all committee members?

[The Clerk]

They are your personal property.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think the only change to this motion is that it is for later consultation by members of Parliament, and not just members of the committee. It has been expanded to members of Parliament. I think the rest of it is just as it was before.

Madame Mendes, you wanted to speak.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I'll just leave it at “members of the committee”, not “members of Parliament”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, “members of the committee”.

Madame Mendes is speaking against.

Madame Boucher.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

No. I just want to say that I really understand what Nicole means, even if I do not know how to put it into words. We have to make sure that there are no leaks when things go on in camera here. Our committee hears extraordinary things involving women. I was thinking about that situation too, but I do not know how to express it. Sometimes, it is not about our personal notes, it is about the fact that she came here and said things that appeared in the papers the next day. She had a number of problems as a result.