[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]
Wednesday, March 27, 1996
.1535 
[Translation]
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): I call the meeting to order.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(d), the first item on the agenda is a motion to receive evidence in the absence of a quorum. Is the committee ready to resume its study of the amendment and motion proposed on March 12, 1996, and debated on March 19, 1996?
[English]
I understand there could be a proposition for that first paragraph.
Mrs. Barnes (London West): Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I went back and reviewed the blues on all of this. Rather than our spending more time debating, I would propose and would move that we move this over to procedure and house affairs so they can sort it for us.
.1540
I'd be satisfied with whatever decision they came up with. That way it allows us this interval before whatever decision they end up with comes back to us. It relieves the interparliamentary thrust in here and allows us to get going.
My motion is simply to move this motion for decision outside this committee over to the procedure committee. Is that possible?
[Translation]
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Mr. Laurin.
Mr. Laurin (Joliette): Who sits on the steering committee? The committee chairman and also...
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): I thought it was the Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Our whips sit on that committee.
Mr. Laurin: Very well, but that's not what Mrs. Barnes said. She said the steering committee.
Mrs. Barnes: No, no.
Mr. Laurin: But if you are referring to the Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, I agree.
Mrs. Barnes: Yes.
[English]
Mr. Williams (St. Albert): I second the motion, Mr. Chairman.
Motion agreed to
[Translation]
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): We will therefore send the matter to the Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
Now, if the committee so desires, we will go in camera.
[English]
We're now going in camera to consider the draft report. The first draft report is section 2 here....
Mr. Williams: On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, we need a motion. We can't just make a statement on that.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Is there a motion to in camera to take into account a draft report on matters relating to household goods removal services and chapter 12.
Mr. Hopkins (Renfrew - Nipissing - Pembroke): I so move.
Mr. Williams: I second the motion.
[Translation]
Mr. Laurin: Why do we have to go in camera, Mr. Chairman?
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): We've already discussed this matter. First, it saves approximately $5000 per hour in transcription costs. We are the public accounts committee. That's one reason.
Also, we want to discuss the drafting of reports. I think that if we sit in camera, we will work better as a team rather than in an adversarial fashion.
Mr. Laurin: Mr. Chairman, I was one of the members opposed to sitting systematically in camera. If we have something to say, we want to say so in public. I don't mind going in camera provided that we can present a minority report if the amendment we are proposing for the second report is not adopted.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Mr. Laurin, I'm told that it's up to the committee to agree to a minority report. Last year, we had a debate on this and minority reports are generally accepted.
Mr. Laurin: It's also up to the committee to sit in camera or not.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Indeed.
Mr. Laurin: If I can't receive that assurance, I cannot agree to sitting in camera. I want my comments to go on the record some day. It doesn't matter if it's not on the record now, but I want to keep the right to submit a minority report on top of the official one. That way, there will be one transcription instead of two.
[English]
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Are there any other comments on in camera? No comment on that.
Mr. Hopkins: Mr. Chairman, it's normal to go in camera when the committee is studying its report that's going back to House. This shouldn't even be a point of discussion. It's formal procedure.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): In this committee there was a lot of discussion in the past on things like in camera, like whether we can have a dissension report. Mr. Laurin is saying now that if he agrees to go in camera, it means they reserve the right for himself or for the Bloc, I imagine, to have a a dissent report annexed if he doesn't agree on the text we produce here.
.1545
[Translation]
Mr. Laurin: Eventually.
[English]
Mr. Hopkins: That's regular procedure too. That privilege is there if they still want to exercise it.
[Translation]
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): You have the right to submit a minority report if you do not agree with the final report. That being said, if everyone agrees, we can now go in camera. All agreed?
Mr. Laurin: Given the fact that the Chairman and government members are acting in good faith, I thank you and give you my consent.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): Fine. It has been moved that the committee continue its deliberations in camera.
[English]
Mrs. Barnes.
An hon. member: We have the motion on the table.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. Paradis): It has been moved by Mr. Hopkins and seconded by Mr. Williams that we go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]