Evidence of meeting #1 for Status of Women in the 40th 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.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Maybe you can explain this. Is it actually on the paper? How do we decide what we are dealing with so that we can say we've already been dealing with this issue, and therefore we are going to forgo the 48-hour clause? That's my question.
How do we know, as members, that this is something we are officially dealing with so that we would apply this clause?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I'd like to suggest that the chair and the clerk would look at the motion and decide that it is what you were talking about.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Right, that we have been discussing, for example.... I'm concerned, because I find it very general. I do understand what you're speaking about, but I just find it a very general concept. There are many, many things that we're discussing, and we could apply this to pretty well everything that we're doing.
Liberal
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I seek a clarification.
I understand what my colleague is presenting. I want to know that in the course of a discussion on a Tuesday morning, a substantive motion cannot be put forward. I see it as problematic, if somebody is away, if a substantive motion is put forward in the course of the discussion. I just raise that as a red flag.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Does everyone understand? I think Madame Demers explained it pretty well. Does everyone understand the intent of this motion? Does everyone feel comfortable with that?
What we're saying is that you're not allowed, without 48 hours' notice, to introduce any motion, unless of course that motion pertains to what we're dealing with at the moment. In other words, if the motion is relevant to the discussion on the table, you don't need 48 hours' notice—which is common sense, in my book. It just clarifies it, instead of leaving it too general in saying you can't bring any motion at all without 48 hours.
All right, can we just call the vote on the amendment, please?
It's a tie vote. The chair will have to vote, and I vote in favour of the amendment, which is eminent common sense.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, I'm concerned about people interfering with the clerk. I don't think it is respectful or appropriate for someone over there, behind those chairs, to be interfering with the clerk. The clerk knows what she's doing.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I allowed it to pass, because I thought it was a question being asked of the clerk.
Could we please ensure that the people who are not members of the committee, but are serving the members of the committee as staffers, try to get their member to ask a question of the clerk, or if they need to, only do so on a question that must be answered, as opposed to trying to tell the clerk how to run her business.
Thank you very much.
Now, number 11, Blackberries. Would someone move this one, please?
Mrs. Demers, would you like to propose it?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
The motion is that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women request all members of the committee not to use their Blackberries while witnesses are testifying, out of respect for the witnesses.
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Sorry.
Don't you usually decide on having some sort of steering committee to decide future business? No?
Then does anyone want to suggest what we will do at the next meeting? Does anyone want to suggest future business?
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
You should discuss future business at the next meeting, in camera.
Conservative
Candice Bergen Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Madam Chair, I just have a question.
Previously I had wanted to propose an amendment to the motion that my honourable colleague had brought forward, and unfortunately you didn't recognize me. You've done a wonderful job of recognizing people this entire meeting, but that one time I was not recognized. So I just wanted to ask you, for future clarification, what can I do to make sure that I'm recognized? It was an important motion. It was an important piece, a motion on which I really did have something to say, and I do feel somewhat disenfranchised that I was not able to contribute to that discussion.
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Perhaps your hand was not up fast enough. I did not notice you. I swear, I did not notice you.
However, the committee can decide if they wish to reopen that motion. If Madame Deschamps wishes to reopen it, I will do so, but it is up to Madame Deschamps.
Madam Mathyssen.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Yes, Madam Chair. In keeping with the collegial manner we've always operated with, I wonder if we could ask for unanimous consent to re-table the report on gender budgeting and ask that the government respond.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Perhaps that could be discussed on Tuesday at the in camera meeting. That would have to pertain to future business, wouldn't it?
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
In the past we had unanimous consent that a report we've completed be re-tabled. But certainly if I can't get unanimous consent, then this would be a notice of motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Do we have unanimous consent on Madam Mathyssen's motion?
Does that mean the recommendations or the full report, Madam Mathyssen?
