On motion of Iqra Khalid, it was agreed, — That Peter Fonseca be elected Chair of the subcommittee.

At 3:37 p.m., Peter Fonseca took the chair.

On motion of Scott Reid, it was agreed, — That Kenny Chiu be elected First Vice-Chair of the subcommittee.

On motion of Heather McPherson, it was agreed, — That Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe be elected Second Vice-Chair of the subcommittee.

It was agreed, — That the subcommittee 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.

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 members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Sameer Zuberi moved, — That, at the discretion of the chair, witnesses be given five minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between government and opposition parties.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, at the discretion of the chair, witnesses be given five minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner in the following order: Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québecois, New Democratic Party, and that wherever possible the witnesses provide their statement to the subcommittee 72 hours in advance.

It was agreed, — That two working days’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the subcommittee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notices of motion be filed with the clerk of the subcommittee by 3:00 p.m. Upon receipt of the notice, the clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the subcommittee’s next meeting and distribute it to members in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each subcommittee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at in camera meetings and that each party be allowed one additional staff person at such meetings.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the subcommittee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the subcommittee and only documents that are available in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the subcommittee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the subcommittee.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the subcommittee clerk’s office for consultation by members of the subcommittee.

At 3:58 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:00 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That members submit their study priorities to the clerk no later than Monday, October 26, 2020.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the subcommittee undertake a study on the human rights situation of the Uyghurs and that the evidence and documentation the Committee received during the 1^st session of this Parliament for this study be considered by the committee during the current session; and that the subcommittee report as soon as possible to the Standing committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

At 4:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:17 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the draft news release regarding the human rights situation of the Uyghurs be adopted and published as soon as possible.

It was agreed, — That the clerk inform the subcommittee members on the necessary preparations for a press conference.