CC18 Committee Meeting

The Legislative Committee on Bill C-18 met in camera at 7:00 p.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Blaine Calkins, presiding.

Blaine Calkins announced his appointment as Chair of the Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 113(2).

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, Wednesday, November 2, 2011 and Thursday, November 3, 2011, to consider Bill C-18; and that witnesses that appear before the Committee provide technical expertise consistent with pages 990-991 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second Edition; and that on Thursday, November 3, 2011, the Committee move to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-18; and that if the Committee has not completed the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-18 by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2011 the Chair put all and every question necessary to dispose of this stage of the Bill and to report the Bill to the House forthwith and successively, without further debate and then the Chair be ordered to report the Bill back to the House on or before Monday, November 14, 2011; and that the Chair limit debate on each clause to a maximum of five (5) minutes per party per clause before the clause comes to a vote.

It was agreed, — That witnesses shall be allowed to up to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated five (5) minutes for the first two rounds of questioning, and that subsequent rounds of questioning be at the discretion of the Chair; and that the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: NDP, CPC, and LIB. Questioning during the second round shall be as follows: CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC and CPC; and that if the time permits, further rounds shall be at the discretion of the Chair.

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.

It was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

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 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.

It was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages; and that amendments to Bill C-18 be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee 24 hours prior to clause-by-clause consideration and distributed to members in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That, for in camera meetings, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person; and that each party is entitled to two other staff.

It was agreed, — That the meetings of Tuesday, November 1, 2011 and Wednesday, November 2, 2011 be televised.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee.

It was agreed, — That, notwithstanding the motion adopted earlier, the Committee sit from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

At 8:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.