TRAN Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 1

Thursday, November 7, 2002

The Standing Committee on Transport met at 11:00 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block.

Members of the Committee present: Rex Barnes, Joe Comuzzi, Bev Desjarlais, Jim Gouk, André Harvey, Ovid Jackson, Stan Keyes, Mario Laframboise, James Moore, Alex Shepherd, Raymond Simard and Paul Szabo.

Acting Members present: Mark Eyking for Marcel Proulx, Paul Bonwick for John Cannis, Gérard Asselin for Robert Lantôt and Howard Hilstrom for Lyne Yelich.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: John Christopher, Analyst.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(1) and (2), election of a Chair and two Vice-Chairs.

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

On motion of Stan Keyes, it was agreed, - That Joe Comuzzi be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

Mark Eyking moved, - That Marcel Proulx be elected Vice-Chair (Government) of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, Marcel Proulx was elected as Vice-Chair (Government) of the Committee.

Jim Gouk moved, - That James Moore to be elected Vice-Chair (Opposition)of the Committee.

Gérard Asselin moved, - That Mario Laframboise be elected Vice-Chair (Opposition) of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election of the Vice-Chair (Opposition) of the Committee was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, James Moore was elected Vice-Chair (Opposition) of the Committee.

After the elections, Joe Comuzzi was invited to take the Chair.

By unanimous consent, the Committee proceeded to the consideration of Routine Motions.

(I)                Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure (Steering Committee)

On motion of Stan Keyes, it was agreed,- That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and a representative of each of the Bloc Québecois, the New Democratic Party and the Progressive Conservative Party, do compose the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

(II)       Library of Parliament (Analysts)

On motion of Ovid Jackson, it was agreed,- That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

(III)          Hearing evidence and publication of the same when a quorum is not present

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the Opposition.

(IV)                       Allocation of time for questioning

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That witnesses be given ten(10) minutes for their opening statement and, that during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first round of question and answer of each party and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, at the discretion of the Chair.

(V)                          48 hours Notice

On motion of Stan Keyes, it was agreed,- That a notice of 48 hours submitted to the Clerk of the Committee, be required before any substantive motion may be considered by the Committee.

(VI)     Witness expenses

On motion of James Moore, 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 (2) representatives for any organization.

(VII)    Order in Council Appointments

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(4), whenever an Order in Council for appointment or a certificate of nomination for appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the resume of each appointee.

(VIII)                 Distribution of papers

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents received from the public only when they have been translated in both official languages.

(IX)     Working lunches

On motion of Paul Szabo, 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 lunches for the Committee and its Sub-Committees, for working purposes, and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the budget of the Committee.

(X)       Presence of Staff at In Camera meetings

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at In Camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.

(XI)                       Transcripts of In Camera meetings

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That one (1) transcript of all In Camera meetings be produced and kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation and that all those transcripts be destroyed at the end of the session.

(XII)                    Committee Meetings

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed,- That the Committee meet on Tuesdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Thursdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Pursuant to the room assignment system for Committees).  (Transport Committee).

On motion of Stan Keyes, it was agreed,- That the whole Committee meet after the break week, to put forward all the subjects proposals from all Members of the Committee, for its consideration of future business.

At 11:28 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Georges Etoka

Clerk of the Committee