Status of Women Committee on Feb. 5th, 2009

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

I propose a subamendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have an amendment moved by Madam McLeod that a quorum be made up of four members, with at least one member from each party.

Is there any discussion on the amendment?

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

I understand the efforts behind it to accommodate, but I think the same issue that Madame Demers raised comes into play.

I realize we're discussing another amendment, but my colleague beside me has recommended that we simply say “three members are present”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You can't say that. At the moment we are discussing the amendment on the table, so let us discuss that one first.

Madam Hoeppner, is it with regard to this amendment?

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Yes. I think we want to begin this committee with a mandate of working together as a team. If we have one person from each party, one person can't dominate. As a matter of fairness, it would be good if we had one person from each party for quorum.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Madam Hoeppner.

Madame Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, we have had this provision for the last four years and we have always managed. It has always worked. Why are we trying to change something that has always worked well? I do not understand.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The amendment reads "that there be four members present, including at least one member from each party”.

(Amendment negatived)

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Let us move to the motion on the table on reduced quorum.

(Motion agreed to)

I would like to move to item four, distribution of documents. It is moved by Madam Neville:

That the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee documents only when they exist in both official languages, and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the authorization of the clerk of the committee.

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

I would like to move an amendment. We have already seen that documents we have received have not been in both official languages. The motion as amended would read as follows:

That only the Clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The amendment would therefore read that only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute....

Is there any discussion on this amendment?

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, we completely agree with Mrs. Boucher.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Shall I call the vote, or do we just take it that there is full accord on this?

(Amendment agreed to)

Everyone has agreed, so I will read the new motion as amended: “That only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed among the committee members must be in both official languages. The clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement”.

Okay?

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Now, we already have a proposal from Madame Demers about lunch, to which everyone agreed.

[A voice]

Sometimes something could happen if we have a delegation, so we should adopt this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, this is in addition to that: whatever their working needs on special occasions, that the clerk be authorized to provide for working meals for the committee. This is further to that first motion by Madame Demers.

Would anyone like to move this motion?

Madame Mendes.

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

Could you read Ms. Deschamps' motion again, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It was moved by Madam Demers that the committee order soup and sandwiches at committee meetings--

[The Clerk]

Since the committee is sitting between--

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

--since the committee is sitting during lunch.

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

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes?

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

I would like to suggest an amendment to Nicole:

That the committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals as may be required and that the cost of these meals be charged to the committee budget.

That way, we do not just have to have sandwiches.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think the sandwiches were meant for every meeting. This one is meant that if--

[The Clerk]

A delegation or--