Status of Women Committee on March 31st, 2010

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Ms. Wong.

[Alice Wong, Conservative, Richmond, BC]

I have two questions. First of all, in the wording of the motion it says “following the government's announcement to make maternal and child health a priority at the G-8 in June”.

So whether it is after June, before June, right after the announcement, or right after the whole G-8 is not clear in the language itself. I don't know when or what time. Is it before the G-8 or after the G-8? When you say “following the government's announcement”, I think the government has already announced that this will be our priority. So does it mean now or after the G-8? I just want someone to clarify that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Perhaps if we put a comma after “appear” it will clarify the statement. There's a good book to read called Eats, Shoots & Leaves, which I would recommend to everyone who is concerned that there is absolutely no piece of punctuation in this sentence. So perhaps a bit of chosen punctuation will make the sentence very clear.

It was my understanding, from what Madame Demers said, that the committee would invite the concerned Canadian and Quebec civil society organizations to appear, following or as a result of the government's announcement to make maternal and child health a priority, at the G-8 in June that Canada will be hosting.

[Alice Wong, Conservative, Richmond, BC]

That sounds pretty clear to me. Otherwise it's very ambiguous.

My second question is related to what Mr. Paul Calandra just said. What is the purpose of this? If we want to listen to all concerned citizens, one meeting won't be enough. If we want true representation we'll probably want to invite as many representatives as possible.

I see this almost as another study.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think Ms. Demers was very clear that it was not a study and she saw it lasting two days, when she responded to Mr. Calandra. It is within the scope of a standing committee, as we did when we called in members here to tell us what the government was going to do. When there was a concern there would be trafficking at the 2010 Olympics, we called in people, they explained to us how they were going to deal with this possible problem, we listened, and that was the end of it.

A committee does not always have to do a report. It does not always have to table recommendations. It can collect information, and we did that. Everyone here agreed it was important. We had two meetings, and we called people back when we heard further comments that there was going to be trafficking.

These are things that are within the scope of the committee. I would advise members that you have a book in your office, the newest edition, 2009, of House of Commons Procedure and Practice. It speaks to the issue of how a committee works and the mandate of a committee and this specific committee. We will understand that committees don't just do reports and don't just table them in the House, etc.

[Alice Wong, Conservative, Richmond, BC]

I haven't finished my question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I know, but we are now at 5:30, and I need to have the committee let me know if they wish to stay an extra five minutes to deal with your question, or anything further.

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

Point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Do you wish to continue here, or do you want to leave now? It is 5:30. What is the wish of this committee?

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

I understand in the book you just referred to that you need unanimous consent to continue after the bells start ringing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

That's why I told Ms. Wong she could not just continue.

Is there unanimous consent to continue? No.

Therefore, Ms. Wong, I'm sorry you cannot continue your question.

The meeting is adjourned.