HAFF Committee Meeting
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37th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION
EVIDENCE
CONTENTS
Thursday, June 13, 2002
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada (Brossard—La Prairie, Lib.)) |
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Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Canadian Alliance) |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Ms. Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.) |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Mr. Rick Borotsik (Brandon—Souris, PC) |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Mr. Rick Borotsik |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Mr. Rick Borotsik |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Ms. Marlene Catterall |
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Mr. Joe Jordan (Leeds—Grenville, Lib.) |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Ms. Marlene Catterall |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
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Mr. Rick Borotsik |
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The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada) |
CANADA
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EVIDENCE
Thursday, June 13, 2002
[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]
 
(1210)
[Translation]
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada (Brossard—La Prairie, Lib.)): I have the pleasure of chairing this meeting, at the request of the titular chair. I hope that the meeting will be very short.
We have one item on the agenda: the study of a draft report concerning security on the Hill. You have all received the report and have had a chance to read it. I suggest that if you have amendments to propose we go through all of them and adopt the report in its entirety afterwards rather than going through it clause by clause, which would take much more time if it turns out we disagree on something substantial.
[English]
Garry, you might have something you would like to change in this report.
Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Canadian Alliance): Yes. In the second line of the first paragraph, for the sake of a little more accuracy, strike out the word “the” and then say, “issues related to security within the parliamentary precincts”, because we didn't examine the entire issue.
Then, in the second sentence, after the word “This”, strike out “interim”. Just say, “This report is intended to set forth for the House”. Strike out the rest of that and then substitute “a summary of our meetings to date”, because we shouldn't construe this as....
Those are all the changes I have to suggest for the entire report.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Would you like me to read that again, or do you all feel comfortable with it?
An hon. member: That's fine.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Fine.
Are there any other changes? No other changes.
[Translation]
I would also like to point out two little changes or additions to security on the Hill.
You will remember that there were some problems with security measures involving access to the Hill for groups of students.
Yes, Marlene.
[English]
Ms. Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.): Continue. I just want you to know that I want to add something afterwards.
[Translation]
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): I would like to move an amendment to point 13, a change which might satisfy the Chair, Mr. Adams. If you look at the second paragraph, after the word
[English]
“including”, I would add, “delay and occasional cancellation of visits by classes”.
[Translation]
In other words, we would add: “the delay or possible cancellation of visits by students to the Hill.”
Yes, Mr. Borotsik.
[English]
Mr. Rick Borotsik (Brandon—Souris, PC): Mr. Chairman, that's actually dealt with in point 14.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): You're right. The chair had simply suggested that we might even want to reinforce it by having it on two occasions instead of one. It's up to you.
Mr. Rick Borotsik: Maybe we should do it three times, then.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): I'm sure he would be delighted.
Mr. Rick Borotsik: I just wanted to bring to your attention that point 14 deals with exactly the same thing.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): So you're saying we don't need to have this.
Mr. Rick Borotsik: Yes.
The Vice Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Is that the wish of the committee?
Some hon. members: Agreed.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Madame Catterall.
 (1215)
Ms. Marlene Catterall: Mr. Chair, this didn't come directly out of our meetings or the committee's inspection of various security measures, but since the point is raised here about students, I'm going to mention another one, which I've just written to the sergeant-major about.
It's unfortunate if students are delayed. It's more unfortunate when a group of veterans who have come a long distance stands outside in the cold and the rain for an hour waiting to get into their House of Commons. Frankly, I would delay some students and put that group ahead.
It's unfortunate that no special arrangements were made for them before they arrived, but I'm wondering if we could expand that somewhat to include concerns like elderly people who have to wait an excessive amount of time. I'm not asking that the report refer to a particular incident of which I'm aware, but I think it's a broader issue than keeping students waiting, frankly.
I would just say as well that I appreciate the clerk ensuring that this report comes to us double-sided so we're not wasting paper.
Thirdly, I trust that the subject being reported is approved subject to editorial corrections, some of which Jamie and I have already discussed.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Mr. Jordan.
Mr. Joe Jordan (Leeds—Grenville, Lib.): This is why we would amend the other point in 13. We could say that “the impact from new security measures on visitors to Parliament Hill, including student classes, elderly people, and persons with disabilities”. I think we're concerned about the impact it's having, and we're concerned specifically about these groups.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Can I make a suggestion that would accommodate all of us, if we agree with the basic principle? In paragraph 14, can we say “Particular concern was expressed regarding the delay and cancellation of group visits to the Centre Block”,
[Translation]
and in parentheses,
[English]
in brackets, “especially senior citizens and student groups”, or handicapped groups, or something like this? Would that be okay?
An hon. member: Agreed.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Okay, so we'll do it.
[Translation]
Are there any other changes?
I would also like to follow up on the recommendation Ms. Catterall made concerning the final layout of the report and minor corrections.
That being said, could someone move the adoption of the report?
Ms. Catterall.
Ms. Marlene Catterall: I so move.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): So, it is moved that the bill as amended be adopted as the report of the committee to the House and that the Chair submit the report to the House.
Motion carried
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Thank you.
[English]
Mr. Rick Borotsik: A point of order, Mr. Chair. There are two other items on the agenda. One of them is other business and the other one is the next meeting.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): Let me answer your point of order. First of all, for the other business, it says, “if any”. I understood there was none. As far as the next meeting is concerned, we will assume that I do not intend to assume the prerogative of the chair. I will wait until he comes back to determine what future business there will be.
Mr. Rick Borotsik: You are the chair.
The Vice-Chair (Mr. Jacques Saada): The meeting is adjourned.