ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Glen Douglas Pearson, it was agreed, — That Paul Szabo be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That David Tilson be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Gérard Asselin, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Paul Szabo took the Chair.

On motion of Mike Wallace, 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 Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given no more than ten (10) minutes for their opening statements and that additional information be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee.

Charles Hubbard moved, — That during the first round of questioning of witnesses seven (7) minutes be allocated to each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative; and, that in subsequent rounds five (5) minutes be allocated to each Party on each round in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Liberal, Conservative.

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

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, 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.

Dean Del Mastro 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the following: “and one member of the government”.

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

David Tilson moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “including one member of the opposition”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Tilson and it was negatived.

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

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Pat Martin, 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 Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair, including if requested, reasonable childcare expenses be reimbursed.

On motion of Russ Hiebert, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and in addition each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member in attendance.

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, 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.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That 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 and distributed to members in both official languages.

Pat Martin moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “24 hours” and replacing them by the word “no” and by deleting the words after the words “to be considered by the Committee”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pat Martin and it was negatived.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the number “24” with the number “48”.

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

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

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet on Tuesday, November 20 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon to discuss future business.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 12 noon to discuss a work plan for the Committee.

On motion of Russ Hiebert, it was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

At 12:18 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.