SNSN Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness met at 3:59 p.m. this day, in Room 269 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

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

Kevin Sorenson moved, — That Tom Wappel be elected Chair of the Subcommittee.

Serge Ménard moved, — That Paul Zed be elected Chair of the Subcommittee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, Paul Zed was declared duly elected Chair.

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

On motion of Gary Lunn, it was agreed, — That Kevin Sorenson be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

On motion of Kevin Sorenson, it was agreed, — That Serge Ménard be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

Paul Zed took the Chair.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the study of routine motions.

On motion of Roy Cullen, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee retain the services of one or more analyst[s] from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Subcommittee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Subcommittee documents only when they exist in both official languages and that no document from a witness be distributed without the Chair's approval.

Serge Ménard moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the opposition and the Chair.

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

Gary Lunn moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement and that during the questioning of witnesses, seven (7) minutes be allocated during the first round to each member present starting with the opposition parties and using the following rotation: Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party; and that for the subsequent rounds, the same rotation shall be used provided that the number of minutes allocated to the questioners be at the discretion of the Chair.

Serge Ménard moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Chair” the following: “and that the seven (7) minutes of the first round only counts for the time taken for questionning and excludes the response given by the witness”.

The question was put on the amendment of Serge Ménard and it was negatived on division.

The question was put on the main motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Roy Cullen, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Gary Lunn, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Subcommittee.

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

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

On motion of Roy Cullen, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Subcommittee and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Subcommittee and circulated to members in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee meets on Tuesday, December 13, 2004, for a briefing session with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and for a discussion on future business.

At 4:57 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.