Evidence of meeting #1 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was second.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
With regard to staff at in camera meetings, go ahead, Mr. Watson.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Mr. Chair, I move that each committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend any in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend in camera meetings.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Everybody is okay with that? It's very similar to what we had in the past.
(Motion agreed to)
On in camera meeting transcripts, go ahead, please, Monsieur Poilievre.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
I move that in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the clerk of the committee for later consultation by members of Parliament. I'm sorry, that should be “by members of the committee”.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you.
We have a correction and it will be “for later consultation by members of the committee”.
There seems to be a bit of a discussion around the word “transcribed” as opposed to “transcript”. I'll ask my clerk to give us the difference as to what we're looking at, if he would, please.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
“Transcript” is a noun and “transcribe” is a verb.
The Clerk
That's exactly right. The “transcription” is basically what was said without being edited and without being transcribed into the other language. So basically what the clerk gets in his office is the blues, not translated. I just want to make sure that everybody understands that we will not be translating the document. It will be in one official language, the language that was spoken on the floor, and not the other.
Liberal
The Clerk
That's not necessary. It has always been done in just one language. We're talking about an internal House of Commons document that's not made public. It's kept in my office, and it's confidential.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
That's not how it should be. We have seen news releases in the past, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Next is on working meals. I put that in because the last time we did have a lot of meetings that carried over either the lunchtime or into the evening. I'll just read what I have here: that the committee hereby authorize the clerk of the committee, in consultation with the chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the committee budget.
Is there any discussion?
(Motion agreed to)
On the matter of witness expenses, go ahead, please, Mr. Albas.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to move that, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding one representative per organization, and that in exceptional circumstances payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.
This is to recognize that we are in tougher economic times and we should tighten our belts where we can.
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
Blake Richards Conservative Wild Rose, AB
I move that 48 hours' notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, and that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the clerk in both official languages. Completed motions that are received by close of business shall be distributed to members that same day.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Do we need to determine “close of business”? I would think that a motion submitted at midnight or at 11 would be....
Monsieur Coderre.
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
We should make sure it is tabled before 5 so we can have a copy in the evening, instead of waiting for the next day. It really means the same thing.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
And it has to be distributed that day. Okay.
(Motion agreed to)
Is there anything else?
I think that is all there is for today's agenda. These minutes will be sent to you in reasonable time once they're translated. We look forward to the call of the first meeting. I'll advise the members of the subcommittee shortly as to when that will be.
Are there any other comments? I see none.
The meeting is adjourned.