CC2 Committee Meeting

The Legislative Committee on Bill C-2 met in a televised session at 9:04 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, David Tilson, presiding.

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 was postponed.

The Chair called Clause 2.

Laurent Marcoux made a statement and, with Joe Wild and Susan Wright, answered questions.

At 10:15 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:23 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Kathy O'Hara made a statement and, with Marc Chenier, answered questions.

At 11:06 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:10 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Ruth Dantzer made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:43 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:47 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

FIRST REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON AGENDA AND PROCEDURE

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2 has the honour to present its FIRST REPORT.

Your Subcommittee met on Monday, May 8, 2006, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed unanimously to make the following recommendations:

1. It was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Clerk to contact witnesses and attempt to find groupings that reflect the overall desire of each party and, that each grouping be focussed by subjects to the extent possible;

2. It was agreed, — That the final time limit for the submission of witness list and for witness requests to appear expires at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2006 after which, witnesses may be invited to submit a brief in writing;

3. It was agreed, — That, whenever possible, all Committee meetings for the purpose of hearing witnesses be televised;

4. Pursuant to the motion of the Committee on May 3, 2006, the following motions have been referred to the Committee for its consideration:

That each witness or group of witnesses have a total of 10 minutes in which to make an opening statement;

That the limit on speaking times for Committee members be limited to 5 minutes, with the exception of the questioning of witnesses.

Respectfully submitted

The Committee proceeded to study each item individually.

On motion of Benoît Sauvageau, it was agreed, — That the English text be revised to reflect the text in French.

It was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Clerk to contact witnesses and attempt to find groupings that reflect the overall desire of each party and, that each grouping be focussed by subjects to the extent possible.

Marlene Jennings moved, — That item No. 2 be amended by adding the word “a preliminary” before the words “witness list” and adding after the words “a brief in writing” the following: “The Committee, by majority vote, may add names to the witness list in the future.”.

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

It was agreed, — That, whenever possible, all Committee meetings for the purpose of hearing witnesses be televised.

It was agreed, — That the Committee suspend consideration of the Subcommittee Report on Agenda and Procedure and proceed to the hearing of witnesses.

Mr. Poilievre gave notice of the following motion: —That the Committee seek to complete its work on Bill C-2 before the House adjourns for summer recess in late June, 2006, and that if that work is not complete the Committee will continue to sit into the summer without break until its work on Bill C-2 is done notwithstanding the adjournment of Parliament.

At 12:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.