AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met at 11:01 a.m. this day, in Room 8-53, 131 Queen Street, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That Chris Warkentin be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Chris Warkentin, it was agreed, — That Jean Crowder be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Ray Boughen, it was agreed, — That Carolyn Bennett be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Chris Warkentin took the Chair.

On motion of Jean Crowder, 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.

On motion of Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and another member of the government. That quorum will consist of three (3) members, and each member be allowed to have a staffer present, in addition, each party will be allowed to have a representative present.

On motion of Jean Crowder, 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 of the opposition and one member of the government.

On motion of Jean Crowder, 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.

On motion of Jean Crowder, 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 Jean Crowder, 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 Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Jean Crowder, 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 Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That 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; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

On motion of Jean Crowder, it was agreed, — That the witnesses from an organization be given up to ten (10) minutes at the discretion of the Chair to make their opening statement. During the questioning of the witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the 1st round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the 2nd and subsequent rounds of questioning. That the order of questions for the first round be as follows: NDP, CPC, LIB and CPC. That the order of questions for the second round be as follows: NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP and CPC. That the order of questions for the third round be as follows: NDP, CPC, LIB and CPC. That the order of questions for the fourth round be as follows: NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP and CPC.

Mark Strahl moved, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Carolyn Bennett gave notice of the following motion:

That the Committee undertake a study of the possible extension of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which currently expires on July 1, 2014, to fulfill its mandate as set out in Schedule N of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement; and that it report its findings to the House of Commons no later than Monday, December 2, 2013.

At 11:15 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.