HESA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Health met at 11:14 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Steven John Fletcher, it was agreed, — That Rob Merrifield be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Judy Sgro, it was agreed, — That Bonnie Brown be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Penny Priddy, it was agreed, — That Christiane Gagnon be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Patricia Davidson, 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 Nicole Demers, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

On motion of Bonnie Brown, 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.

On motion of Lloyd St. Amand, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

On motion of Rick Dykstra, 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.

Bonnie Brown moved, — That all questioning of witnesses be limited to five(5) minutes per member and that the Chair direct the first two(2) questions to members of the Official Opposition, followed by five(5) minutes for the Bloc québécois, five(5) minutes for the Conservative Party, five(5) minutes for the New Democratic Party; and that subsequent questions be alternately shared between government and opposition members, at the discretion of the Chair.

That during the appearance of a Minister, the Chair direct the first fifteen(15) minutes to members of the Official Opposition, ten(10) minutes to the Bloc québécois, ten(10) minutes to the New Democratic Party and ten(10) minutes to the Conservative Party during the first round of questioning; and that thereafter five(5) minutes per party be allocated alternating between the opposition and government members, at the discretion of the Chair.

Dave Batters moved, — That the motion be amended by adding at the end of the first paragraph the following: “,with the principle of allowing all members who wish to speak that opportunity”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Dave Batters and it was agreed to.

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

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

On motion of Dave Batters, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person from his or her party at in camera meetings.

On motion of Rick Dykstra, 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 Dave Batters, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive 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; and that notice given on Friday be deemed to have been given on the following Monday.

At 12:11 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.