FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 11:10 a.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Susan Kadis, it was agreed, — That Anita Neville be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Lynne Yelich, it was agreed, — That Nina Grewal be elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Beth Phinney, it was agreed, — That Jean Crowder be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Anita Neville took the Chair.

On motion of Beth Phinney, 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.

On motion of Paule Brunelle, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and Paule Brunelle from the Bloc Québécois.

On motion of Beth Phinney, 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 a member of the opposition.

On motion of Susan Kadis, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding one representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair; and that, if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

On motion of Russ Powers, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages, and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the authorization of the Clerk of the Committee.

On motion of Beth Phinney, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee .

On motion of Russ Powers, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

Lynne Yelich moved, — That witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated 7 minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter 5 minutes be allocated for subsequent rounds with the order being as follows:

• First Round: at 7 minutes, CPC, BQ, NDP and Lib.
• Second Round at 5 minutes: CPC, BQ, Lib.
• Third Round at 5 minutes: CPC, Lib., NDP
• Fourth Round at 5 minutes: CPC, Lib.

The question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 4.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the motion was negatived.

Maria Minna moved, — That witnesses be given 10 minutes to make their opening statement; That during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: On the first round of questioning, 7 minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Liberal Party and New Democratic Party. On the following rounds of questioning, 5 minutes per party in the following order: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party and Liberal Party.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Russ Powers, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

At 11:41 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.