Evidence of meeting #1 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Are there any further comments on Ms. Duncan's proposed amendment?
Then I suggest that we call the vote.
I'm sorry. Mr. Iacono.
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ms. Duncan, why are you proposing that it be one person and not two?
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Why? Because we already will have two members on the committee representing the government.
In keeping with what the chair has proposed, which is that this be non-partisan, balanced, and collaborative, I think it's incumbent that we make sure that our subcommittee.... The subcommittee is very important, because in many ways it determines the subject areas we're going to move forward on, other procedures that we're changing, and recommendations on witnesses, and so forth. I think it's very important that everybody at the table have an equal voice. There would be a very fair representation for the governing party with the chair and a government member, so we see no reason for two additional government members.
I also raised a concern with regard to having only one opposition party member there. I would hope that all the voices on the committee are important. From time to time we may have different opinions, so I think it's important that the quorum include at least one representative of the parties in the meetings of the subcommittee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Then I would call the vote on Ms. Duncan's amendment.
I'm sorry. Were there any other comments?
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Chair, what are we voting on, exactly? Ms. Duncan has added two things in what she just said. I would just like you to summarize what we will be voting on.
The Clerk
Ms. Duncan moved that the words “two government members” be replaced by “one government member”. If I understood correctly, the quorum for the subcommittee would consist in at least three members, including one member from each opposition party.
Ms. Duncan, did I get that straight?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Could I just reiterate and confirm a point with the clerk?
The recommendations from the subcommittee come back to the full committee for discussion and a vote and any other amendments or changes, correct?
The Clerk
Yes, Madam Chair, usually in the form of a report from the subcommittee considered in camera, which can then be amended by the committee, the final form of which would be published in the minutes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Okay. Thank you very much.
All right. We have Ms. Duncan's amendment.
Ms. Duncan has asked for a recorded vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 4)
Liberal
February 3rd, 2016 / 3:55 p.m.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I'm sorry. We voted on the amendment, and now we have to vote on the actual motion. We're now voting on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. It's not amended at all. It's staying in its original form.
(Motion agreed to)
Now we'll move on to the next one. It's on the reduced quorum:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government; and, that, in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary Precinct, the Committee members in attendance only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.
Are there any comments on the reduced quorum?
Seeing no comments, we need a mover. It is moved by Mr. Hardie.
(Motion agreed to)
We'll move on to the one on the distribution of documents:
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, that all documents that are to be distributed amongst the committee members be in both official languages, and that the Clerk advise all witnesses appearing before the committee of this requirement.
I need a mover.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
On a point of order, Madam Chair, are you not taking these in the order in the book?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The clerk indicated to me that he didn't think everybody had the numbers—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
That was the part that the.... Do you have that in front of you? The clerk indicated that he didn't think you did.
