Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm sorry, that's me.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, through you to Mr. Hill. I think what prompted me to kind of deviate from my script and throw in the business of the House being leery of imposing restrictions on anything that would lessen a committee being master of its own proceedings is really my ongoing fear of the law of unintended consequences.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As you say, I think that it is really a question of confidence with regard to the committee. I think it is absolutely essential to respect the circumstances under which individuals may decide to testify or take part in a discussion. It's difficult to imagine, without that individual's consent, how we could change the rules of the game after the game is over.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, through you to Mr. Owen, I think the point you raise about fairness and natural justice is exactly right. That's exactly the question that needs to preoccupy us in terms of the kinds of procedures that might be adopted. In one sense I suppose it's not that surprising that rules haven't been laid down, because it has been relatively infrequent until recently for evidence to be heard in camera relative to the bulk of evidence that is heard.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to introduce my small, high-powered team, composed of Marie-Andrée Lajoie, who's the clerk assistant of committees. She is actually representative of the team of people who are working over in the committees directorate and is familiar with the various situations and she has a better hands-on grasp of the situations that have occurred in the various committees, so I have her here for important backup and as a security blanket of some dimension.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I know that for some time, that was one of our policies. I will ask the question and note the information I am given in that regard.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I have noted your suggestion.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, but we are currently in negotiations. It's a little difficult to…

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, you have…

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, I just want to make two comments. First, I have to say I am in a rather delicate position because we are already at the bargaining table discussing collective agreements. There are some things that I…

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I would say that the discussions are going very well. There is no doubt that if people are coming to talk to you, they are most likely unhappy about something. Having said that, I believe that relations between workers and the House, as an employer, are very good and that the benefits are truly excellent.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Part 3 has not been proclaimed, but employees have immediate access to the policy now in effect. They are not without protection.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, I consider that to be a compliment, coming from Mr. Guimond. In answer to the first question, I would say that training is given primarily in French, simply because of the number of Francophones and Anglophones in the House. I am also in a position to confirm that most of the resources are devoted to training members of Parliament, as opposed to staff.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No. I'm sorry; I did not make myself clear. Seasonal workers can work more than 700 hours, something which occurs fairly regularly. So, that does apply to season workers. Only workers who are on call do not work 700 hours.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, I can provide that. As I already stated, that would obviously change the working conditions of people who are on call. I should add that many of them are satisfied with the current regime. They are students or people who, for one reason or another, choose that kind of a work regime.