ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in camera at 11:00 a.m. this day, in Room C-110, 1 Wellington Street, the Chair, Jean Crowder, presiding.

It was agreed, — That, for the week of March 12 to 16, 2012, the Committee's schedule be as follows with regard to the statutory review of the Lobbying Act:

- Tuesday, March 16, 2012 - By the end of business, the analysts will provide the Committee with an outline including a summary of witness recommendations.

- Wednesday, March 17, 2012 - Committee members will submit their draft recommendations (by party) to the Clerk by noon if translation is needed or by end of business if translation has already been completed.

- Thursday, March 15, 2012 - Discussion on document provided by analysts and party submissions (draft recommendations).

At 11:38 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:45 a.m., the sitting resumed in a televised session.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics call Mr. Adam Carroll, former Liberal Research Bureau employee, for one meeting to examine his use of House of Commons resources in order to conceal his anonymous public attacks on a Member of Parliament and that this meeting take place by Thursday March 8, 2012.

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible as it went beyond the mandate of the Committee as outlined in Standing Order 108(3)(h)(vi), and as the Board of Internal Economy has exclusive authority on matters relating to Parliamentary Resources as provided in Section 52.6 (1) of the Parliament of Canada Act, and on page 238 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second Edition.

Whereupon, Dean Del Mastro appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division: YEAS: Scott Andrews, Charlie Angus, Pierre-Luc Dusseault, Dany Morin — 4; NAYS: Brad Butt, Blaine Calkins, John Carmichael, Patricia Davidson, Dean Del Mastro, Earl Dreeshen, Colin Mayes — 7.

On motion of Patricia Davidson, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Thursday, March 8, 2012” with the words “Tuesday, March 13, 2012”.

Scott Andrews moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Parliament” the following: “, that the Committee examine all government resources used on Twitter accounts,”.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That debate on the motion of Dean Del Mastro and the amendment of Scott Andrews resume at the next meeting of the Committee.

At 1:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.