INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 9:04 a.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

On motion of Colin Carrie, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work. These services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, a second member for the Liberal party and a member from the other opposition party. Quorum of the Sub-committee shall consist of at least three (3) members one of whom must be from the government. Each member of the sub-committee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend at any meetings of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

Debate arose thereon.

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

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs a government member and a member of the New Democratic Party.

Colin Carrie moved, — 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government. In the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for fifteen (15) minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

Debate arose thereon.

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

On motion of Dan McTeague, 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the Opposition and provided that if no member of the Oppossition is present ten (10) minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That when the Chair is unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the Committee, the Chair shall designate a member of the Committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting and that such an acting Chair shall be vested with all the powers of the Chairman at or during the said meeting.

Colin Carrie moved, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Dan McTeague moved, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

Debate arose thereon.

Robert Vincent moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “only when they exist in both official languages” with the words “and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Robert Vincent and it was agreed to.

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

Colin Carrie moved, — Each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “one party staff member” with the words “one member of the Whip's staff”.

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

Colin Carrie moved, — That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of Parliament, and that these transcripts be destroyed at the end of the session.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Dan McTeague, 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.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Colin Carrie moved, — That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representative from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed.

Debate arose thereon.

Dan McTeague moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “reimbursed” the following: “and that in exceptional circumstances payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Dan McTeague and it was agreed to.

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

Colin Carrie moved, — That the consideration and examination of any Bill, which falls within the express mandate of the committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination. In such circumstances the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the Bill is reported back to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Colin Carrie moved, — That forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; and that the period of notice be calculated from the time the motion has been distributed to the members of the committee by the Clerk of the Committee; and that the motion shall be distributed to members in both official languages; and that all motions received by the Clerk shall be placed upon the agenda of the first committee meeting following the period of notice.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That forty-eight (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; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Colin Carrie moved, — That all motions shall be dealt with by the Committee within two (2) meetings of their first being listed on the agenda as Committee business, failing which the motion shall be deemed abandoned by the mover and shall be dispensed with and may no longer be subject to Committee consideration.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement. During the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the 1^st round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the 2^nd and subsequent rounds of questioning.

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

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That the witnesses be given up to ten (10) minutes for their opening statement and that, at the discretion of the Chair during the questioning of witnesses, time and sequence be allocated as follows, and that a member may yield their time to another:

Round 1 six (6) minutes:

- Liberal Party

- Bloc Québécois

- Conservative Party

- New Democratic Party

Round 2 five (5) minutes:

- Liberal Party

- Conservative Party

- Bloc Québécois

- Conservative Party

- New Democratic Party

Round 3 five (5) minutes:

- Liberal Party

- Conservative Party

- Liberal Party

- Independent M.P.

Round 4 five (5) minutes:

- Conservative Party

- Bloc Québécois

- Liberal Party

- New Democratic Party.

Colin Carrie moved, — That every party shall have the right to attach, as an annex, a dissenting opinion on any report to be presented to the House of Commons by the Committee; and that this dissenting opinion shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee within seventy-two (72) hours of the passing of the report by the committee.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

At 10:58 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.