CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:03 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That Hon. Rob Moore be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Scott Armstrong, it was agreed, — That Charlie Angus be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That Scott Simms be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Hon. Rob Moore took 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.

Paul Calandra moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party; that the quorum of the Subcommittee consist of at least three (3) members, including one (1) member of the government and one (1) member of the opposition; that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one assistant attend any meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and that, in addition, each party be permitted to have one staff member of a House Officer attend any meeting.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Paul Calandra 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 four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the government and one (1) member of the opposition; and that, in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for fifteen (15) minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “regardless of whether opposition or government members are present” with the words “as long as a member of the government and the opposition are present”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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 four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and one (1) member of the government; and that, in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, as long as a member of the government and the opposition are present.

Paul Calandra moved, — That the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement. During the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the second and subsequent rounds of questioning. The order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservative, NDP, Liberal, Conservative. Questioning during the second round and all subsequent rounds shall be as follows: Opposition, Government, Opposition, Government.

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

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

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, 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 have one staff member present from their office and from their party at in camera meetings.

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 or by their staff.

Paul Calandra moved, — That forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; that the notice of motion be filed and distributed to members by the Clerk in both official languages; and that completed motions that are received by 4:00 p.m. be distributed to members the same day.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Committee” the following: “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; that the notice of motion be filed and distributed to members by the Clerk in both official languages; and that completed motions that are received by 4:00 p.m. be distributed to members the same day.

At 11:44 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.