moved for leave to introduce Bill C-423, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (meetings of the Board of Internal Economy.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act with respect to the meetings of the Board of Internal Economy.
As parliamentarians know, the Board of Internal Economy is a very secretive operation. Decisions taken there are very important not only to this precinct but to the public as well. The public is not allowed at this point to attend meetings. Nor are members of parliament.
The purpose of the bill is to allow members and others with an interest to attend and observe meetings of the board. The bill makes board meetings public with the exception of those devoted to certain specific topics like management, personnel or matters before the court.
This follows up on many other jurisdictions like Saskatchewan which has public attendance at board of internal economy meetings.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)