TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 228, La Promenade Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Blake Richards, it was agreed, — That Merv Tweed be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Dennis Bevington, it was agreed, — That Jamie Nicholls be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Mike Sullivan, it was agreed, — That Denis Coderre be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Merv Tweed took the Chair.

On motion of Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work. These services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.

Dan Albas moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two (2) Vice-chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party; and,

That quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three (3) members; and,

That each member of the Subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and,

That each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend any meetings.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Poilievre moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “of at least three (3) members” the following: “, one of which shall be a member from the opposition”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Poilievre and it was agreed to.

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 Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two (2) Vice-chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party; and,

That quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three three (3) members, one of which shall be a member from the opposition; and,

That each member of the Subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and,

That each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend any meetings.

On motion of Lawrence Toet, 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 four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the Government; and,

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, regardless of whether opposition or Government members are present.

On motion of Blake Richards, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before the Committee of this requirement.

Lawrence Toet moved, — That the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, Liberal. Questioning during the second round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witness(es). If time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

Jeff Watson moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after “shall be as follows” with the words: “New Democratic Party, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative and that the second round be New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, Conservative and so on until every member has had a chance to speak or given up their time”.

Debate arose thereon.

Denis Coderre moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “New Democratic Party, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative” with the words: “New Democratic Party, Liberal, Conservative, Conservative”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Denis Coderre and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Jeff Watson, as amended, and it was agreed to.

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 order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: New Democratic Party, Liberal, Conservative, Conservative. Questioning during the second round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative, Conservative; until every member has had a chance to speak or has given up their time. If time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — 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.

On motion of Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — Each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend any in camera meetings. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend in camera meetings.

On motion of Pierre Poilievre, it was agreed, — That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Blake Richards, it was agreed, — That the Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget.

On motion of Dan Albas, 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.

Blake Richards moved, — That forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; and that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the Clerk in both official languages. Completed motions that are received by close of business shall be distributed to members the same day.

Debate arose thereon.

Lee Richardson moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “close of business” with the words “by 5 p.m.”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Lee Richardson and it was agreed to.

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 shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; and that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the Clerk in both official languages. Completed motions that are received by 5 p.m. shall be distributed to members the same day.

At 4:38 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.