LANG Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Official Languages met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That Steven Blaney be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That Pablo Rodriguez be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Richard Nadeau, it was agreed, — That Yvon Godin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Steven Blaney took the Chair.

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

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including two (2) members of the opposition.

Yvon Godin moved, — That 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 no document provided by a witness be distributed without the Clerk’s authorization.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “ the Clerk's authorization” the following: “and, since the documents must be in both official languages in order to be distributed, that the clerk advise the witnesses of the availability of a translation service”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was agreed to.

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 working meals for the Committee.

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

Yvon Godin moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “person” the following: “and including a member of the personnel of the office of the whip of each party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Raymonde Folco and it was agreed to.

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

On motion of Yvon Godin, 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.

Yvon Godin moved, — That 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.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “notice” the following: “according to the procedures of the House”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Raymonde Folco and it was agreed to.

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

Yvon Godin moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning on witnesses, there be allocated:

for the first round seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party in the following order: Official Opposition, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Government;

for the second round, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner from each party in the following order: Official Opposition, Government, 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: Official Opposition, Bloc Québécois, Government, New Democratic Party;

for the fourth round, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner of each party in the following order: Official Opposition, Government, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “ New Democratic Party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was negatived.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the Committee on Official Languages study the role of post-secondary education in the promotion of linguistic duality and the learning of official languages.

Debate arose thereon.

At 11:02 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.