On motion of Sherry Romanado, it was agreed, — That Stephen Fuhr be elected Chair of the Committee.

At 8:57 a.m. Stephen Fuhr took the Chair.

On motion of James Bezan, it was agreed, — That Cheryl Gallant be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of James Bezan, it was agreed, — That Randall Garrison be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Darren P. Fisher, 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 Sherry Romanado, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-chairs and two (2) government members; that the quorum of the Subcommittee consist of at least three (3) members; that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one (1) assistant attend any meetings of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and that, in addition, each party be permitted to have one (1) staff member from the Whip’s Office attend any meetings.

On motion of Jean R. Rioux, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and one (1) member of the government.

Mark Gerretsen moved, — That the witnesses from any one organization be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, during the questioning of witnesses, six (6) minutes be allocated to each party in the first round in the following order: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party; and that for the second round the time be allocated as follows: Liberal Party six (6) minutes, Conservative Party six (6) minutes, Liberal Party six (6) minutes, Conservative Party five (5) minutes and New Democratic Party three (3) minutes.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the witnesses from any one organization be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, during the questioning of witnesses, seven (7) minutes be allocated to each party in the first round in the following order: Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party; that for the second round the time be allocated as follows: Liberal Party five (5) minutes, Conservative Party five (5) minutes, Liberal Party five (5) minutes, Conservative Party five (5) minutes, Liberal Party five (5) minutes and New Democratic Party three (3) minutes; and that, if time permits, further rounds be at the discretion of the Chair.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

On motion of Sherry Romanado, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members and only when such documents exist in both official languages; and that the Clerk inform the witnesses of this requirement at the time of the invitation to appear.

On motion of Mark Gerretsen, 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 Sven Spengemann, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, childcare, attendant care 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.

Darren P. Fisher moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one (1) staff person at an in camera meetings and Whip staff.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one (1) staff person at in camera meetings and one (1) Whip staff from each party.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

On motion of Jean R. Rioux, 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 Sherry Romanado, 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; that the notice be deemed effective if received electronically by the Clerk of the Committee by 4:00 p.m. on the second business day prior to the date of the meeting; and that it be distributed to members the same business day.

On motion of Mark Gerretsen, it was agreed, — That draft reports be distributed to members of the Committee no less than one week prior to beginning their consideration.

On motion of Randall Garrison, it was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Minister of National Defence to appear at his earliest opportunity for a briefing session on his mandate letter; and that, should the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2015-16 be referred to the Committee, the Minister be also invited in relation to the study of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2015-16.

On motion of Darren P. Fisher, it was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.