LANG Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Official Languages met at 3:31 this day, in Room 112-N Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

At 4:13 , the sitting was suspended.

At 4:17 , the sitting resumed.

On motion of Marc Godbout, it was agreed, — That Pablo Rodriguez be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, it was agreed, — That Pierre Poilievre be elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Odina Desrochers, it was agreed, — That Yvon Godin be elected as Vice-Chair (other opposition) of the Committee.

On motion of Guy Lauzon, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one analyst from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Yvon Godin moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 4 members are present including 2 members of the opposition.

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

Yvon Godin moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated be as follows: seven (7) minutes for each questioner of the first round in the following order: the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois, the Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party; five (5) minutes for each questioner of the second round, alternating between Government and Opposition parties; five (5) minutes for each questioner of the third and subsequent rounds, in the order in which they are recognized and at the discretion of the Chair.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

On motion of Guy Lauzon, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated for the first round seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party in the following order: Conservative Party, Bloc québécois, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party; for the second round, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner of each party in the following order: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc québécois, New Democratic Party, for the third round, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner of each party in the following order: Conservative Party, Bloc québécois, Liberal Party, New Democratic Party; for the fourth round, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner of each party in the following order: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc québécois, New Democratic Party.

Marc Godbout moved, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

On motion of Guy André, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “official languages” the following: “,and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the Clerk's authorization”.

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

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee .

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Odina Desrochers, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting..

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That the Commissionner on Official Languages be invited to appear next Tuesday, October 26, in relation with her annual report.

At 4:27 , the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.