NDDN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on National Defence met at 3:34 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Laurie Hawn, it was agreed, — That Rick Casson be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Wajid Khan, it was agreed, — That John Cannis be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Robert Bouchard, it was agreed, — That Claude Bachand be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Rick Casson took the Chair.

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

On motion of Claude Bachand, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

On motion of Laurie Hawn, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Claude Bachand moved, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

Debate arose thereon.

Cheryl Gallant moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “official languages” the following: “and that the Clerk inform members when witnesses have documents available in only one language”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

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

On motion of Laurie Hawn, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

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

Wajid Khan moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meeting” the following: “and that one staff person of an absent member's staff be permitted to attend in camera proceedings”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Russ Hiebert and it was agreed to.

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

On motion of Dawn Black, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Joe McGuire, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

On motion of Blaine Calkins, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given, at the discretion of the chair, ten 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, seven minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, NDP and Conservative; on the following rounds of questioning, five minutes per party beginning with the Liberal, the Conservative, the Bloc Québécois, the Conservative, the Liberal, the Conservative and the Liberal, and in a third round the order would be the same as in the second round with the NDP being able to ask questions at the end of the round; and that when a minister is in attendance in the first round of questioning ten be allocated to each of the opposition parties and ten minutes to the Conservative party, and in a second round five minutes to each party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative and Liberal, and in a third round the order would be the same as in the second round with NDP being able to ask questions at the end of the round.

Dawn Black moved, — That the Committee invite the former Minister of National Defence, Bill Graham, and the current Minister of National Defence, Gordon O’Connor, to appear before the Committee to answer questions regarding Canada’s role in Afghanistan.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 1; NAYS: 10.

On motion of John Cannis, it was agreed, — That the Committee have its meetings in Room 362 of the East Block in preference to any other room.

At 4:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.