PROC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 11:12 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 Tom Lukiwski, it was agreed, — That Joe Preston be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Chris Charlton, it was agreed, — That Joe Comartin be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Philip Toone, it was agreed, — That Marc Garneau be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Joe Preston took the Chair.

On motion of Greg Kerr, 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.

Chris Charlton moved, — That the three Whips be delegated the authority to act as the Striking Committee pursuant to Standing Orders 104, 113 and 114, and that they be authorized to present to the Chair, in a report signed by all three Whips, or their representatives, their unanimous recommendations for presentation to the House, on behalf of the Committee.

On motion of Tom Lukiwski, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business be composed of one (1) member from each recognized party and a Chair from the Government party; and that Harold Albrecht be appointed Chair of the Subcommittee.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, one Government member and the Parliamentary Secretary.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and one (1) member of the Government.

On motion of Dave MacKenzie, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of John Williamson, 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 and that witnesses be advised accordingly prior to appearing before the Committee.

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 Dave MacKenzie, 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.

On motion of Harold Albrecht, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office and one staff member from their party at in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That 48 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; and

That 48 hours' notice be calculated in the same manner as for the House; and

That the motions be submitted to the clerk no later than 6:00 p.m.

On motion of Scott Reid, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given five (5) minutes to make their opening statement; and that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows:

For the first round of questioning, seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Conservative, New Democratic Party and Liberal;

For the second round, four (4) minutes be allocated in the following order: Conservative, New Democratic Party and Conservative;

For the third round, four (4) minutes be allocated in the following order: Conservative, New Democratic Party and Conservative;

For the fourth round, four (4) minutes be allocated in the following order: Conservative and New Democratic Party.

At 11:42 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.