[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]
Wednesday, November 8, 1995
.1741 
[Translation]
The Chairman: Good morning everyone. If the committee members are in agreement, we will sit in camera as usual for the sake of expediency.
Today, we undertake our study of the draft report on Chapter 5 respecting the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Deposit-Taking Institutions Sector.
Before proceeding with the adoption of this report, we will consider the draft report. We did not complete our study last time. Copies of the report have already been distributed. Last time, we were already sitting in camera to save time.
Mr. Laurin (Joliette): I thought we agreed that any proposals would be adopted in public. Since the adoption of the draft report calls for a resolution, why should we sit in camera?
The Chairman: At the start of each meeting, I usually ask members whether they want to sit in camera and the suggestion is usually agreed to. However, if the majority would prefer for us to sit in public, then we will do so.
Mr. Laurin: I would prefer that the discussions of the draft report on science and technology be in public. I have no objections to our withdrawing later to sit in camera to consider the report on Chapter 5. It's only a draft report.
The Chairman: You want us to sit in public to consider the draft report on science and technology?
Mr. Laurin: Yes, because we have some resolutions to adopt.
The Chairman: I understand, but we also have resolutions to adopt with respect to the other report. This is standard procedure for every report. I suggest that we sit in camera, and members normally go along with this, but if you insist that we sit in public, I will put the matter to a vote.
Mr. Laurin: I so move, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman: Then we will vote on the motion. That's not a problem. Ms Whelan, you have the floor.
[English]
Ms Whelan (Essex - Windsor): Mr. Chairman, we were in camera the last time we were discussing this report. We should continue in camera.
[Translation]
The Chairman: Mr. Laurin, you will recall that we were sitting in camera the last time.
Mr. Laurin: Not the last time. However, do the Standing Orders preclude that part of the meeting be in camera and the other part in public? I believe there's nothing in the rules preventing this.
The Chairman: No, it's possible. It wouldn't be very complicated. Who is in favour of the committee sitting in public?
As the Clerk said, this is currently a public meeting.
Mr. Laurin: I don't have a motion.
[English]
Ms Whelan: We said no.
The Clerk of the Committee: You need a motion if you wish to change from public to in camera.
Ms Whelan: Then I move to go back in camera. I make a motion that this meeting be held in camera, as was the last one when we were considering this report.
Mr. Steckle (Huron - Bruce): I'll second that.
[Translation]
The Chairman: She moved a motion and we will vote on it.
[English]
Can you read your motion?
Ms Whelan: Mr. Chairman, the motion would be that we continue in camera as we were when we were discussing this report.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
[Translation]
All those opposed?
Mr. Laurin: I don't want to harp on procedure, but Ms Whelan moved that we continue sitting in camera. We cannot continue sitting in camera because we have not adjourned.
The Chairman: This started out as a public meeting.
Mr. Laurin: Therefore, if that's the case, we cannot continue sitting in camera.
The Chairman: We are currently sitting in public. Who is in favour of Ms Whelan's motion that we sit in camera? The government members are in favour. You, on the other hand, are opposed to the motion.
Mr. Laurin: Judging from the interpretation, I understand that the motion calls for the committee to continue sitting in camera. We cannot continue if we never started in the first place!
The Chairman: No, but basically the committee would adjourn to continue in camera. I think everyone understands that. We started out sitting in public. I asked if there was agreement to sit in camera. A motion was introduced, and the majority voted in favour of it. You are opposed to it. That's how I understand it.
Mr. Laurin: Mr. Chairman, I want us to vote on the right questions.
.1745
We are already sitting in public, and Ms Whelan is proposing that we continue in camera.
The Chairman: The members voted in favour of the motion. Are you in favour of it or opposed?
Mr. Laurin: I would like us to continue sitting in public.
The Chairman: Therefore, you are opposed to our sitting in camera.
Motion agreed to.
[The committee continued in camera]