HERI Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 2

Thursday, November 7, 2002

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 9:05 a.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair and two Vice-Chairs, pursuant to Standing Order 106.

Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Paul Bonwick, Sarmite Bulte, Rodger Cuzner, Claude Duplain, Christiane Gagnon, Betty Hinton, Wendy Lill and Clifford Lincoln.

Acting Members present: Raymond Bonin for Roger Gallaway, Andy Scott for John Harvard, Marlene Jennings for Dennis Mills, Yvon Charbonneau for Tony Tirabassi, Monte Solberg for Chuck Strahl, Jocelyne Girard-Bujold for Caroline St-Hilaire.

In attendance:  From the Committees Directorate:  Patrice Martin, Committee Clerk.  From the Library of Parliament: Sam Banks, Joseph Jackson and Terrence Thomas, research officers.  Consultant :  David Black.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of a Chair.

On motion of Jim Abbott:

It was agreed, - That Clifford Lincoln be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Andy Scott:

It was agreed, - That Paul Bonwick be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Monte Solberg:

It was agreed, - That Jim Abbott be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Clifford Lincoln took the Chair.

In accordance with its mandate under the Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to a discussion of future business.

It was agreed, -That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, -That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including one member from the Opposition.

It was agreed, -That witnesses be given up to 15 minutes for their opening statement and that during questioning of the witnesses, there be allocated 5 minutes for the first questioner of each party and that thereafter 5 minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, -That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy, and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses, be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee, up to a maximum of two representatives for any organisation.

It was agreed, - That documents be distributed to the Members of the Committee only when they are available in both official languages.

It was agreed, - That a transcript of in camera meetings be kept in the office of the Clerk of the Committee for the purposes of consultation by Members of the committee.

It was agreed, -That, unless there is unanimous consent of the Members of the Committee, forty-eight hours notice must be given to the members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee and, that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to all members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk will put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

It was agreed, - That the Committee authorize the Chair, from time to time, as the need arises, to take, in conjunction with the Clerk of the Committee, the appropriate measures to provide working meals for the Committee (and its Sub-committees), and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the appropriate budget of the Committee.

It was agreed, - That the Clerk of the Committee be instructed to endeavour to have all meetings televised whenever a Minister appears at Committee.

It was agreed, - That the Committee resume consideration of the Study on the State of the Canadian Broadcasting System commenced on November 8, 2001 and lapsed on September 16, 2002 upon prorogation of the First Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament.  Pursuant to Order made in the House on October 7, 2002, any evidence adduced by any Standing or Special Committee on any matter not reported upon in the previous Session shall be deemed to have been laid upon the Table in the present Session.

It was agreed, - That the Committee retain the professional services of David Black as a consultant to assist in organizing the work of the Committee in relation to its study on the state of the Canadian Broadcasting System for the period of November 7, 2002 to June 20, 2003 at a per diem rate of $ 600.00 for a total amount not to exceed $68,400 up to March 31, 2003.

It was agreed, - That the Committee retain the professional services of Professors Marc Raboy and David Taras, to consult and advise in the management of the study on the State of the Broadcasting System under the aegis and direction of the Committee for the period of November 7, 2002 to March 31, 2003, and

It was agreed, - That Professors Raboy and Taras be compensated for their services by the Department of Canadian Heritage, at a per diem rate of $ 600.00 for an average of 7 days per month to the end of the fiscal year, March 31, 2003, and for travel required to and from Ottawa and for accommodation in Ottawa, and

It was agreed, - That Professors Raboy and Taras accompany the Committee on any travel undertaken for the study, related costs to be met by the Department of Canadian Heritage, and

It was agreed, - That the total expenditure not exceed $129,000.00.

At 9:30 a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

It was agreed, - That in relation to its study on the State of the Canadian Broadcasting System, the Committee travel to Washington D.C. and London, U.K. from January 16 – 23, 2003.

It was agreed, - That, in relation to its Study on the State of the Canadian Broadcasting System, the Committee meet on January 27 – 28, 2003 at a location to be determined, to consider a draft report.

ORDERED, - That the Clerk of the Committee prepare two travel budgets.

At 10:05 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Christine Fisher

Clerk of the Committee