Evidence of meeting #141 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 industry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I'm obviously going to speak in favour of the motion.
I guess my next question would maybe for the clerk or for you as the chair.
Given that my colleague cited something that is on the Prime Minister's website, do you or the clerk ever entertain the notion that when a minister is not available that should then be extended to the parliamentary secretary? That's their role.
Liberal
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
However, the departmental officials weren't requested to come.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
You and the clerk made the decision that in the absence of the minister, you would invite the departmental officials.
Did you come back to the committee? I maybe missed the meeting where you came back to the committee and advised us that the minister was not going to be available for the rest of the session. Therefore, would it be a friendly amendment...or would it be reasonable to invite the departmental officials?
Did that come back to the committee?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It was all about the departmental officials and the minister initially, and—
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Madam Chair, it was [Inaudible--Editor] the minister initially.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
—when we did the work plan, we agreed that the departmental officials would be here. It was never suggested from anyone that the parliamentary secretary would come in his place. It was not requested, nor was it suggested by anyone.
Mr. Badawey.
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
—with respect to having the departmental officials come to the meeting. That was agreed upon in the subcommittee.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Right.
My question is this. When we found out that the minister couldn't come—it was raised here—I advised my colleague that the departmental officials were the ones who were being invited. He has indicated, as the mover of the motion, that he would like the parliamentary secretary to be here. It seems like that should be automatically offered or looked at, given that it's part of the process when a minister is not able to attend.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
For three and a half years, we have been doing committee business, and at no time has it been suggested.
I'm sorry, Monsieur Aubin has the floor.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
It seems obvious to me that, if a chain of command were to be established, the parliamentary secretary would be directly under the minister. It seems to me that this goes without saying.
For all the times we ask a minister to attend a meeting and the minister is unable to attend, should a motion be introduced requiring the chair and clerk to systematically invite the minister's parliamentary secretary in the minister's place?
Between the time we, the members of the committee, agree to receive a minister, and the time we receive the response regarding the minister's availability—or unavailability—time passes. But time is the least of we have here.
In that case, I plan to table a motion for next Thursday and ask that the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities systematically invite the parliamentary secretary of a minister who, for one reason or another, refuses our invitation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
That would be fine. We'll look forward to seeing that.
I have Mr. Badawey and then Mr. Jeneroux.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
I'll be brief, Madam Chair.
For the most part, I think we can't make any assumptions. It's just not fair to the team to make any assumptions that any individual should be invited.
If in fact you want the parliamentary secretary to be invited—the minister, or anybody for that matter—just make it a part of the motion. That's simple. It's very clear what our expectations are as a committee. We'll go from there.
To have all this, what I would call, “rhetoric” is not helpful.
Conservative
