Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, it really is a consensus process. A discussion takes place. Certainly, in some cases, people don't always take the same position but, over the course of the discussion, we come to a compromise that everyone finds acceptable. At least, that is what I've seen in my 30 ye

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Not quite. There has been at least one instance where that has happened. That has happened in this Parliament, but it's not common with this board either. It's still a rarity, quite a rarity.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is not an actual committee of the House, and in that sense there is some debate about whether privilege is covered. There are all kinds of ancillary issues there that make it really difficult.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I join Mark in thanking you for being so very patient this morning. Naturally, in preparing for today's appearance, Mark and I discussed extensively on how to proceed. Your order of reference is very clear. Your order of reference asks you to conduct hearings with a view to repl

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's always a good outcome.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, through you, I was afraid that this would be a question, because I fear that I have what is, I suppose, easily characterized as a Luddite approach to this. I'm going to be very candid with you, at the risk of going beyond my remit as the Clerk. I don't think, if t

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I love a fan.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you for that very kind introduction, Mr. Chairman. Good morning to you. Honourable members, good morning. I would also like to say good morning to the guests of honour who are here shadowing some members today. I am joined today by Mark Watters, the chief financial office

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes. Thank you.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You want to know whether there are any from the Université du Québec en Outaouais? I would have to check. I do not know for the moment, but I will check. Let us say that I would be surprised if there were not.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My apologies for breaking in here, Mr. Chair, but the deputy clerk has just handed me a note. To answer Ms. Turmel's question concerning the Université du Québec en Outaouais, I regret to say that there are no pages from that university this year.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, what happens in the case of a special committee is that funding is provided to start the work. The committee then determines its budget and submits it to the Board of Internal Economy.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Pardon me, but those are two different things. A special committee is one thing, but I believe you referred to a special trip that a standing committee might wish to take. The committee's budget is managed by the Liaison Committee, the committee of committee chairs, and that is w