OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 8:51 a.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 Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin 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 Denis Blanchette, it was agreed, — That Mike Wallace be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Alexandre Boulerice, it was agreed, — That John McCallum be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pat Martin took the Chair.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

Mike Wallace moved, — That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated five (5) minutes for the questioner of each party, including the responses of the witnesses, as follows: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, and Conservative Party.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That the Chair shall, at the start of a meeting where a number of witnesses belonging to the same organization will be appearing separately on the same study, canvass the Committee on the application of the Committee rule regarding time allocation for questioning of witnesses, in other words to determine whether the rounds of questioning by party should begin over again at the beginning when new witnesses arrive, or resume at the point they left off when the previous witness’s appearance concluded.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, and one additional member, to be designated by the whip, from the Conservative Party.

Peter Julian moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Conservative Party” the following: “and another member from the Official Opposition”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Peter Julian and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — 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 from the government.

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

On motion of Denis Blanchette, 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 Mike Wallace, 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.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office or from their party at in camera meetings.

On motion of Mike Wallace, 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 one of their staff members.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That a notice of 48 hours, interpreted as two nights, be required before a member may move a substantive motion, unless it deals directly with the matter before the Committee at this time, provided that (a) this notice be emailed to the Committee Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; that (b) the notice be distributed by e-mail to members in both official languages by the Clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; that (c) notices received after the deadline hour be deemed to have been received during the next business day; and that (d) this rule does not prevent a member to give notice of a motion orally during a meeting of the Committee, in which case notice shall be deemed to have been given before the deadline that day.

At 9:49 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:53 a.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to the Order of Reference made by the House on Friday, June 3, 2011, this Committee undertake a study of the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, for the departments of Health, National Defence and the Treasury Board Secretariat, with appearances by ministers of each of the said departments, along with their relevant officials, provided that the Committee conclude its study and report to the House no later than the date prescribed by the Special Order of the House of Friday, June 3, 2011.

At 10:12 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.