TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met at 9:04 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 Don H. Bell, it was agreed, — That Mervin Tweed be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

Ed Fast moved, — That Joe Volpe be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

John Maloney moved, — That Don Bell be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, Joe Volpe was declared duly elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Paul Zed, it was agreed, — That Mario Laframboise be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Merv Tweed took the Chair.

On motion of Paul Zed, 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.

Paul Zed moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Brian Jean, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Vice-Chairs” the following: “, the Parliamentary Secretary”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and a member of the other opposition party.

On motion of Paul Zed, 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 5 members are present, including two (2) members of the opposition.

Paul Zed moved, — That witnesses be given up to 10 minutes for their opening statement; that at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated 7 minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter 5 minutes be allocated for a second round to each party and that, at the discretion of the Chair, 5 minutes be allocated to each other member present that have not yet spoken.

Debate arose thereon.

Brian Jean moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after the word “That” with the words “witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, for the questioning of witnesses, 7 minutes be allocated to each party for the first round, and that, for all subsequent rounds, 5 minutes be allocated to each party for their members that have not yet spoken, starting with the official Opposition, and any further time allowed will be allocated equally between each opposition party at the discretion of the Chair”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brian Jean and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 1.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

“That the witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, for the questioning of witnesses, 7 minutes be allocated to each party for the first round, and that, for all subsequent rounds, 5 minutes be allocated to each party for their members that have not yet spoken, starting with the official Opposition, and any further time allowed will be allocated equally between each opposition party at the discretion of the Chair”.

On motion of Paul Zed, 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 John Maloney, 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.

On motion of Mario Laframboise, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

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

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Brian Jean, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “and one member of the House Officers' staff from each party” after the word “person”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person and one member of the House Officers’ staff from each party at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Don H. Bell, 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 Mario Laframboise, it was agreed, — 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 and that it be put on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee.

At 9:50 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.