ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed, — That Bob Mills be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of John Godfrey, it was agreed, — That Geoff Regan be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Marcel Lussier, it was agreed, — That Bernard Bigras be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Bob Mills took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the study of Routine Motions.

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.

Nathan Cullen moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and a member of the government, excluding the Parliamentary Secretary.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Mark Warawa moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and a member of the government.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Mark Warawa moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and Jeff Watson.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Mark Warawa moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and Luc Harvey.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Mark Warawa moved, — That the motion to establish the Subcommittee on Agenda and procedure be deferred.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Jeff Watson moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and the Parliamentary Secretary.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

It was agreed on division, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and one member from the other opposition party.

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.

It was agreed, — 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.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person and, in addition, each party be permitted to have one staff member from either the Office of their House Leader, their Whip or their Research Bureau attend in camera meetings.

Mark Warawa moved, — 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member from the government.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

It was agreed on division, — 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

It was agreed on division, — That a full 24 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 prior to 6 p.m. and distributed to members in both official languages.

It was agreed on division, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement and, that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between government and opposition parties and that no member be given a second opportunity to ask a question until all members have had an opportunity to ask a question.

John Godfrey moved, — That when a Minister appears before the Committee, the ratio of time allocated for presentation and questioning be one quarter to three quarter, that is, for example, a fifteen minute presentation followed by a forty five minute period of question.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to purchase gifts on behalf of the Committee for visiting delegations to Canada meeting with the Committee or for foreign hosts when the Committee is travelling abroad.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development be invited to appear before the Committee on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to present his 2007 Report.

It was agreed, — That the Committee consider its future business on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

At 5:51 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.