HALIFAX, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2003
STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES
9:00 A.M.
CHAIRMAN
Mr. Ronald Chisholm
MR. CHAIRMAN: I guess we do have a quorum. We are missing a few from the NDP caucus, I believe. David, are there some more people coming?
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): I would think so, I would hope. I was called to fill in for Frank. He sends his regrets.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, it's about 9:07 a.m. so maybe we can start the meeting. I guess the first thing we should do is go around the table for introductions for the record, starting with Mr. Wilson.
[The committee members introduced themselves.]
MR. CHAIRMAN: Welcome to the Human Resources Committee. The first item on the agenda is Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions. I guess we have all had the book for about a week or so, so if we want to start.
Before we do that, maybe, there is one section here, I think it's the last section, the last group of appointments that we are doing, or the second last, for the Sherbrooke Restoration Commission. There is one name that has been left off the list in your books and that is Gordon Steedman. So maybe when we come to that, whoever is doing the appointment can add his name to that, if it's agreeable. He's a reappointment. It's in the back section of the book. His resumé and that sort of thing is there but his name hasn't been included on the front portion of the book and he is a reappointment. Okay, so if we can start.
Mr. Taylor.
1
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, I would move Edward M. MacMaster to the Board of Examiners in Social Workers under the Department of Community Services as a member.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: I see the Conservatives, Mr. Chairman, are off to a good start, appointing prominent Conservative people from the community. (Interruptions)
MR. TAYLOR: Is that a second of the motion?
MR. MACKINNON: No.
MR. TAYLOR: It's not, okay.
MR. CHAIRMAN: You have all heard the motion. Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Are there any abstentions?
The next one is the Department of Education.
MR. CECIL O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, I move Crystal Aboud, Sandra LeBlanc, Jack MacLeod, Allan MacPhee and Roland Thornhill to the University College of Cape Breton Board of Governors.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Chairman, on the issue, our caucus has had an opportunity to review them and we feel quite comfortable with the first four. The fifth one, we will not be supporting.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It is my understanding, for the committee's information, that all these appointments came from the University College of Cape Breton. They were nominated by the college.
MR. MACKINNON: That's right. But it's still . . .
MR. CHAIRMAN: That's where the names came from anyway.
Okay. You all heard the motion.
MR. MACKINNON: Well, Mr. Chairman, are we voting them en bloc or are we going to vote on them individually?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, we have been voting en bloc for the most part.
MR. MACKINNON: We would like for the last one to be severed off so we can record the vote on that.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay, we will do one at a time. One at a time, Mr. O'Donnell.
MR. O'DONNELL: I would move that Crystal Aboud be appointed to the University College of Cape Breton Board of Governors.
MR. CHAIRMAN: You have all heard the motion. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
I guess we could have probably done the four and then just the last one. If that's okay, we will do the other three.
MR. O'DONNELL: I would move the other three en bloc, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the University College of Cape Breton Board of Governors, I so move Roland Thornhill as a member.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
We better have a - I vote yes. So what do we have?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, I have a suggestion just for the interest of clarification, perhaps we could canvass members on that.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
YEAS NAYS
Mr. O'Donnell Mr. Glavine
Mr. Taylor Mr. MacKinnon
MS. JOAN MASSEY: I don't have that information in front of me.
MR. MACKINNON: It's in the book.
MS. MASSEY: No, I don't have that. I'm abstaining, I seriously do not have that information in the book. (Interruptions)
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, I'm just a little bit concerned about the way that roll call was taken. What numbers do you have at this particular time?
MR. CHAIRMAN: One abstention, three in favour, four against, and I get a second vote. (Interruptions) Two abstained.
MS. MASSEY: I have to say I do not have that information.
MR. MACKINNON: It's right there in front of you.
MS. MASSEY: No, it's not.
MR. TAYLOR: It is in the book. It is a bit troubling that a member wouldn't have the information and the rest do have it.
MS. MASSEY: Sorry if I do have it.
MR. TAYLOR: It's right there, Russell. The resumé can be found, as well, it's very impressive, Mr. Chairman.
MS. MASSEY: I'm going to abstain, that slipped by me.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay, I vote again, in favour.
The motion is carried.
The next one is the Department of Health, Denturists Licensing Board. (Interruptions) I can vote twice.
MR. GORDON HEBB: In committee the chairman votes and the person who sits in the Chair has a deciding, casting vote as well.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The Denturists Licensing Board, there are five appointments. Can we do that en bloc or do we want to do it individually? For the Department of Health, that is a new board that has been set up. Can we do those en bloc? Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, if I may be permitted at this time to make a motion. Under the Department of Health, Denturists Licensing Board, I so move Robin Paris Adams, Diane Carrigan-Weir, Greg MacDonald, Robert MacKean and Frank Marshall as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Mr. O'Donnell.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, I so move Dr. Lystra R. Dayal-Gosine as a member.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
We now go to the District Health Authorities. Health Authority No. 1, South Shore District.
MR. TAYLOR: Any agreement to do those en bloc?
MR. MACKINNON: Except for Health Authority No. 3.
MR. TAYLOR: For the District Health Authorities, Health Authority No. 1, South Shore District, I so move Roxanna Smith as chairman, and Priscilla Burgess and Dr. David Evans as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority No. 2, South West Nova District. Do we vote on them en bloc?
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, I would move Ronald Horrocks as chairman, and David M. Irvine, Barrie MacGregor, and Gerald A. Pottier as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority No. 3 and I assume there is one here that you want to vote on separately?
MR. MACKINNON: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Can we do the others en bloc?
MR. TAYLOR: Could the member indicate which one that he wants us to reference?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Which one do you want us to do separately?
MR. MACKINNON: J. Gregory Kerr.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, to Health Authority No. 3, Annapolis Valley District, I so move David Logie as chairman, and David Hovell, Preston Ilsley, and David Kilcup as members.
[9:15 a.m.]
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, as a member, as well, I would so move J. Gregory Kerr.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
We will have a recorded vote on this one.
YEAS NAYS
Mr. O'Donnell Mr. Glavine
Mr. Taylor Mr. MacKinnon
Ms. Raymond
For, 3. Against, 2. Abstentions, 2.
The motion is carried.
District Health Authority No. 5, Cumberland.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, to District Health Authority No. 4?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. O'DONNELL: To District Health Authority No. 4, Colchester East Hants District, I so move Krista Canning, Armand Goodick and Robert Lumsden as members.
Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
We will now go to District Health Authority No. 5, Cumberland.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, for the Health Authority District No. 5, Cumberland County, I so move Bruce Saunders as chairman and Doug Marshall as a member.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority District No. 6, Pictou County District, can we vote on these en bloc?
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the Health Authority District No. 6, Pictou County, I so move Murray Hill as chairman and member, and Anne Bigelow, Norman Lord, Linda Muir, William J. Palmer, and Edward Teiman, CD as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority District No. 7, I would like to do this one myself. No, I can't. Go ahead, Mr. Taylor.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman - I know you are supporting these names coming from your health district - for the Health Authority District No. 7, Guysborough Antigonish Strait, I so move Colleen Cameron as chairman and member, and Patricia Bates, Kevin Beaton, and Almon Joseph Chisholm as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority District No. 8, Cape Breton District.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the Health Authority District No. 8, Cape Breton, I so move Paula McMullen-Beaton, Peter Patterson, Catherine Power and Daniel Yakimchuk as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Authority District No. 9, Capital District.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, for the Health Authority District No. 9, Capital District, I so move Anthony Benson, Karen Willis Duerden, Dr. Frances Moriarty and Robert B. Short as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Health Research Foundation of Nova Scotia.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the Health Research Foundation of Nova Scotia, I so move Brian MacDougall as chairman and member, and Patrick McGrath and Peter McLeod as members.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, for the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre - just before I move the names, I'm wondering if Mr. MacKinnon wanted to call for a recorded vote on the second name as the individual did run as a candidate at one time. (Interruptions) He's okay with that.
MR. MACKINNON: No, a good quality candidate.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, I so move Anthony Benson, Karen Willis Duerden, Dr. Frances Moriarty and Robert B. Short as members.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Chairman, is this a reappointment for this particular candidate?
MR. TAYLOR: I think the honourable member knows the answer to the question.
MR. MACKINNON: Yes, it is. For the record, it is.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It is, yes, as it was for other members who were just appointed as well.
MR. MACKINNON: And some new.
MR. TAYLOR: I so move those names, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The Office of Health Promotion, Gaming Foundation of Nova Scotia.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the Office of Health Promotion, Gaming Foundation of Nova Scotia, I so move Russell W. Oehmen as a member.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, for the Department of Tourism and Culture, Sherbrooke Restoration Commission, I so move Roland Burton, Ian A. Cameron, MD, Barbara Jordan and Gordon Steedman as commissioners. Mr. Steedman's name is included in the book, but . . .
MR. CHAIRMAN: It was omitted here.
Are you ready for the question? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Treasury and Policy Board, Voluntary Planning Board of Nova Scotia.
MR. O'DONNELL: Mr. Chairman, for the Treasury and Policy Board, Voluntary Planning Board of Nova Scotia, I so move J. Colin Dodds, Angela Griffiths, Russell T. MacDonald, Ronald E. Smith and Robert D. Waldon as directors.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
I believe that's it for the appointments, the ABCs, so we will move on to Committee Business, Agenda setting - potential witnesses. We've all had copies of potential witnesses from the NDP caucus, as well as the Liberal caucus.
MR. MACKINNON: I believe our list was approved. (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, just a quick question. Traditionally, has it been the practice of this committee to bring witnesses in on an infrequent basis, a monthly basis, a scheduled . . .
MR. MACKINNON: We never brought in witnesses before. We haven't done that before.
MR. CHAIRMAN: No, I don't believe - just a very few.
MR. MACKINNON: We just exercised the mandate.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Very few. There was a few, I think, at one time, there has been a few but very few.
MR. HEBB: There was someone who came in and spoke to the committee a couple of years ago on copyright, a lawyer.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. HEBB: That's the only one I recall.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay, we do have the lists in front of us.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, just to do with housekeeping, as much as anything, is it thought that there would be a specific time allocated, subsequent to appointments, was the schedule to . . .
MR. MACKINNON: No. If I could speak to that, Mr. Chairman, since I was the one who brought the initial topic to the forefront, the committee hasn't been exercising its full mandate, and that's why we felt it was important to start exercising the full mandate of the committee and that's why we brought that list of witnesses. I believe, at the last committee meeting that we had, with reference to this issue, it was generally agreed that we approved the list with potential witnesses submitted by the Liberal caucus, also making allowance for the NDP and the Conservative caucuses to go back and generate a list of potential witnesses they felt could contribute.
As you know, through you, Mr. Chairman, to the member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, this committee is not just about appointments. It has another mandate as well, to deal with issues outlined in its mandate. What I'm saying is we can have other meetings, other than just to deal with ABCs.
MR. TAYLOR: I appreciate the honourable member's comments. I did direct my question to you, Mr. Chairman, and maybe you could delegate, you're certainly within your purview to do that, to other members. My question was specific to the logistics, I guess, more than anything, of the committee in terms of dates and times and frequencies, irrespective of whether the previous Liberal or Tory Governments exercised their full mandate. That, to me, is irrelevant. Today I am just questioning about the scheduling, keeping in mind that the members have pretty ambitious schedules as it is. I just wondered what the thought of the chairman was regarding that particular issue. I, so far, haven't heard.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think it was my hope, at least, that we could schedule, if we're going to bring witnesses in, if we could schedule them for the same day we have the ABCs, just for time. How many other committees are we involved with and constituency work, so that would be my hope, that we could do it that way, schedule it that way, because it doesn't
take us - it's almost 9:30 a.m., we started about 9:08 a.m. to do the ABCs and we've completed them. So, that's my feeling if we do bring in witnesses, that we could do it the same day that we do the ABCs, without scheduling another meeting some time during the month. But that's my own personal view.
If that's the wish of the committee, as I said, I hope that it would be.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Chairman, we're not suggesting that there may be times we may not have ABCs coming out for several months, we're not going to let the committee sit dormant during that period of time?
MR. CHAIRMAN: No, we would have our regular schedule, the last Tuesday of the month.
MR. MACKINNON: Sure, okay, that's good.
MR. CHAIRMAN: That's our day for HR and we had that scheduled, or at least I do. In all fairness, there are other things, like Darlene and I meet on a frequent basis as chairman and her as the clerk, so it takes quite a bit of time to do these, to get ready for it. So, that would be my hope, if that's the wish of the committee.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
So, is that fair, Darlene?
MRS. DARLENE HENRY (Legislative Committee Clerk): That's fine with me.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I guess the next thing that we have is the witness list. I guess the Liberal Party submitted theirs.
MR. MACKINNON: Ours is already approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: So what is the wish of the committee? We're into December now or the next meeting will be in December and maybe we can deal with that now, the next meeting date I suggest that we hold it on December 16th.
MRS. HENRY: That's only because the actual meeting schedule would be the day before New Year's Eve.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We don't want to do that.
[9:30 a.m.]
MRS. HENRY: So, it is just suggested, if everybody wants to do that . . .
MR. CHAIRMAN: Unless Russell wants to come in. He would probably be here alone, by himself. (Laughter) So, is that agreeable?
I guess the next question is, do we want to bring a witness in that close to Christmas or do we wait until after the first meeting in January to do that and who do we want to bring in? I guess, that's the question.
MR. MACKINNON: Did the Conservative caucus bring a list?
MR. CHAIRMAN: No, we didn't.
MR. MACKINNON: So we still have the NDP list then and we have the Liberal list already approved. Generally what we did in other committees, as we do in the Public Accounts Committee, is just allow the clerk to canvass, you focus in on let's say three or four and let the clerk try to schedule whatever is convenient for witnesses. Is that acceptable?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, are any of these - I apologize, I didn't make the last committee meeting - these witnesses that it would be more advantageous to bring them in ahead of somebody else or is it just some names that have, essentially, been agreed to?
MR. MACKINNON: Ours were essentially agreed to, because there were no others, and we put the caveat there to allow the NDP and the Conservative caucuses to bring in a potential list and we can incorporate them. Personally, and I don't know how my colleagues feel, but I would think we're not going to get hung up on who's going to come in first, type of thing, it's just to get the process started. Generally, I would think we could do one from each, in the sense of fairness, each caucus would have a priority.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Another thing too. I am told that some of these potential witnesses have been brought before the Public Accounts Committee as well as maybe the Community Services Committee. Is that something we need to do, bring them in again, if they have already been in front of the Public Accounts Committee or the Community Services Committee or the Economic Development Committee and that sort of thing?
MR. MACKINNON: I think that's reasonable. There is no sense double tracking. But I think you will find that our second witness, Alan Parish, President, and Peter Delefes, Past-President of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, they haven't been called, or that organization has not been. The education one, that can be debated, because we did deal with it at the Public Accounts Committee. The one on education . . .
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, on a point of order. I'm a little bit perplexed here. The member said a little earlier on that these names have been approved. Have these names been approved or have been, in fact, accepted by the committee?
MR. MACKINNON: Yes, they've been approved.
MR. TAYLOR: Normally, and the honourable member knows full well that - in what context were they approved, I guess I could ask that question, Mr. Chairman?
MR. MACKINNON: As a list of potential witnesses to bring before the committee.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I'm not sure that we . . .
MR. MACKINNON: I made the motion and it was agreed.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I don't have a copy of the last Hansard with me. We will get a copy of the last meeting and just see how to go. I'm a little fuzzy on it.
MR. TAYLOR: Normally, Mr. Chairman, the list would be submitted if Parties are so inclined and then the committee in turn would more or less prioritize. The honourable member knows from just sitting through and being the chairman of the Economic Development Committee, that's usually the way that the standing committees work. I'm just wondering if we're doing . . .
MS. MASSEY: I think I recall, Mr. Chairman. I think I do recall that we did approve the list and then there was conversation that we would come forward with our list at the next meeting and I think that's what occurred, but it's always good to check the minutes.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I don't think we really approved the list.
MR. MACKINNON: We approved this list with the provision to allow the other two caucuses to bring in lists and we could incorporate them. The priority of listing, that was up in the air.
MR. TAYLOR: There was only one previous meeting, as I understand it. This was at the first meeting?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, it was.
MR. MACKINNON: It was circulated to the Conservative caucus and the NDP caucus prior to the meeting, several days prior to the meeting. Do you recall, Cecil?
MS. MICHELE RAYMOND: One or two of these look as if they are a little bit more time sensitive than others, for what it's worth. There has to be some kind of a marker you can use - you can see a couple.
MR. MACKINNON: Through you, Mr. Chairman, while we're checking that, if I could ask, is it the intent of the Conservative caucus to bring witnesses or not bring a list of potential witnesses? As I understood from the last meeting, that was the general understanding, that the Conservative and NDP caucuses were going to bring some lists.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, what I believe we were looking at was hoping that there would be enough flexibility built into the committee's mandate that if, in fact, it was decided that a witness should appear before the committee that we could bring it more or less before the committee on an ad hoc basis for consideration. But at this point, we haven't worked up a witness list.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The motion was by Mr. MacKinnon, "Mr. Chairman, I would move that we consider all six of these. The order of priority, we're open to the chairman and the coordination through the clerk of the committee and a time frame that we can work around." So I guess what the motion asks for is that we consider the six. (Interruptions) I will leave this for consideration.
MR. MACKINNON: If you want to tighten up the language a little more, I think the spirit and the intent is there. It will allow flexibility for all three caucuses to have an opportunity to bring forth their potential lists, and I thought that was what we were doing.
The NDP responded.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think all three caucuses can bring forward lists at any time or if there is a potential witness that they maybe want to bring forward, as the Conservatives may, at some point in time.
MS. MASSEY: I would like to just move a motion that the NDP caucus list moves forward through the same process, that staff look at the list and try to coordinate some witnesses to come in. Some of these may overlap, even with the other Parties' interests that they would like to have people come in and speak about.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Are you making that a motion?
MS. MASSEY: Yes.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Is the January meeting to have a witness in, a potential witness? Are we saying that if we have someone who has come to the Public Accounts Committee or another committee, that we not do them right off the bat if it's . . .
MR. MACKINNON: I think our clerk can also collaborate with her colleagues . . .
MR. CHAIRMAN: The other clerks of the committees.
MR. MACKINNON: Exactly, just to ensure that we don't have redundancy and repetition.
MR. TAYLOR: Just a point, Mr. Chairman. Normally, at any given standing committee, we know, as a committee, where the chairman or the clerk may be possibly focusing. Surely the members might have an idea, out of the dozen or so names that we have, where we might try to focus on bringing a witness in. Would that be a fair comment, just based on tradition in other committees?
MR. CHAIRMAN: So you're saying prioritize. If it was going to be left up to me, I can tell you right now who I'm bringing in. Number one would be Education witnesses, the department officials, administrators of the Nova Scotia Community College. That would be number one on my list.
MR. MACKINNON: That's item number five on our list, so we would certainly go with that.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I don't think they've been before anybody.
MR. MACKINNON: Would that be agreeable with the member, through you, Mr. Chairman?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Chairman, I'm agreeable, I would just like to know. I think it's fair that we stay somewhat in control of where we're going with these names. As the member indicated earlier, the clerk would be trying to line up some witnesses, we should have one or two, just an idea, it helps a little bit with preparation of the future agenda.
MR. MACKINNON: The menu is there, pick from it.
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Chairman, I think we would agree that the community college would be a great one to get in. I noticed on both our agenda and the Liberal's, there is one about grants and museum funding-type culture. Since they are on both, maybe that's another option we could look at, if it's agreed, to see who is available to come in for the first meeting in January.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We will just take one per month or one per meeting.
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): I think you should give them another option in case they can't make the January meeting, then there's a backup there.
MR. TAYLOR: That sounds fair.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Darlene and I will work on that then for January.
MR. MACKINNON: I have full confidence in you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The third one, okay. Do you have a third one, Darlene? We could check that one out with the other clerks. We will have someone here at our January meeting, that's all I can tell you. Maybe Rollie. Scratch that from Hansard. (Laughter) We will let Russell question him.
The next meeting we've decided on December 16th. It's all set to go. Any further business? If not, a motion to adjourn.
MR. MACKINNON: So moved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The meeting is adjourned.
[The committee adjourned at 9:43 a.m.]