Status of Women Committee on Oct. 5th, 2010

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, let me get this clear. The subcommittee would not reflect the composition of the full committee, given that it would only have one Conservative member and all the other members would be from the opposition. Would that mean that the decisions made by the steering committee would not be subsequently debated here?

Mrs. Boucher, are you saying that if the steering committee decides our priorities, we can no longer debate them once they get here?

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

At the Standing Committee on Official Languages, decisions were made at the subcommittee. At meetings of the committee as such, the other members were told about the discussions and the conclusions we had come to and all members were asked for their opinion.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

So you discussed the same thing twice.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Is there any further discussion?

Ms. Mathyssen.

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

Madam Chair, I would like to see the status quo. I think we made a good decision initially. There's wisdom in greater discussion, and I rely very much on being able to hear that back-and-forth exchange, because I feel we make much better decisions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Mathyssen.

Ms. Neville.

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

Madam Chair, I think we had a fairly full discussion when we made the decision to deal with it in committee rather than in subcommittee. I've served on committees in which both processes have been in place. Some work, and some don't.

I guess I was just convinced, when Ms. Demers asked the question, that it would mean we would discuss, argue, debate, or whatever the same issues twice. I think once is enough for me.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Madam Neville.

You did not make a motion, Ms. Boucher, but just a suggestion, and I think I'm getting a consensus or a sense from the committee that they want to stay with the status quo.

All right.

Now, we're in camera still, and I just wanted us—

[A voice]

We're not in camera. We didn't pause.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Oh, I thought we had.

Can we go in camera now, please?

Thank you.

[Proceedings continue in camera]