Evidence of meeting #130 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was subcommittee.
A video is available from Parliament.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
However, it has not made a decision on whether to pursue this study. That's what I'm saying.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
We're speaking as if a decision has been made to pursue the study, and a decision has not yet been made to pursue the study because we have not yet reviewed the full list of contractors and subcontractors, which is currently unavailable. We're missing a step here, Mr. Chair.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
I will go to Mr. Genuis, but my interpretation when reading the motion is that the motion creates the subcommittee, pursuant to the Standing Orders. It says that the subcommittee, etc., “be established”—and that's what we voted to accept. It continues, “the subcommittee be composed of seven members”, etc., etc., and “the subcommittee be chaired...to be chosen by the subcommittee”.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Yes, I understand what you're saying, but the subcommittee is established by this motion's passing.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
However, the decision has not been made to pursue the study.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
That's why I look at the subcommittee to get together to hash that out.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I will say that the deadline to provide documents was May 20. There have been some trickling in afterwards. There are a lot of documents, actually, that just haven't been provided. The committee also said that a decision would be made on next steps by June 20. The subcommittee is not authorized to meet during times when the House is sitting, unless we explicitly authorize an exemption, which is why I think we should meet on Wednesday.
With regard to Mr. Kusmierczyk's point...sure, whatever he wants. If he or someone else wants to propose at that meeting that the study not proceed, the subcommittee could take that position. I mean, I don't think it would necessarily be well received, but sure.
The question, I guess, is that next step of....
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Again, how I look at it—and I'll get to you, Mr. Kusmierczyk—is that the subcommittee was established by the motion's passing. The motion's final line says, “in committee or subcommittee, as long as this decision is made before Thursday, June 20”. Between committee or subcommittee, I would believe that it should be the subcommittee deciding whether the study should move forward.
Wednesday would be the subcommittee—
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Irek Kusmierczyk Liberal Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
That's what I'm saying. What I'm saying is that I like to be precise and accurate. Again, the conversation early on sort of seemed to suggest that a decision had already been made to pursue the study. It has not. If you look at the motion, it clearly states that the committee should meet and make that determination. Again, let's not assume that a decision has been made. Let's review and analyze the list, the contract list, that was provided. Then, on Wednesday, that decision can be made on whether to proceed. That's what I'm saying.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Yes, I think we just have mixed signals because.... That's fine. I think we just had mixed signals.
Mr. Kusmierczyk, are we fine with that? I will seek time on Wednesday after Minister Anand.
Mr. Genuis.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Yes, the subcommittee will discuss on Wednesday how to proceed.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Yes, it will be the subcommittee, so the members have to decide who their members will be on the subcommittee.
Mr. Green.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I just want to make sure that we're still good to go here. Notwithstanding all the discussions that have been had, there is something that I do want to move as a motion.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Can you just hold on to that for two seconds? I just want to put this thing to bed 100%. Then we'll get to you.
12:50 p.m.
A voice
I think it's put to bed.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kelly McCauley
Are we set? That's perfect.
Leave it with me, and we'll find time after Wednesday for step one.
Mr. Green, go ahead and be fast.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you.
The motion reads:
That, as per the usual practice of House of Commons standing committees, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates shall not meet during Parliament's summer recess unless the requirements of s.106(4) of the Standing Orders are met.