INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Brian Masse, it was agreed, — That Michael Chong be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Mike Lake, it was agreed, — That Anthony Rota be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Marc Garneau, it was agreed, — That Robert Bouchard be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Michael Chong took the Chair.

On motion of Chris Warkentin, 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 and that these services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.

Brian Masse moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Mike Lake, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Party” the following: “and that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one staff member attend”.

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 established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a government member and a member of the New Democratic Party and that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one staff member attend.

Mike Lake 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 provided that if no member of the Opposition is present ten (10) minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed.

Debate arose thereon.

Robert Vincent moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “and provided that if no member of the Opposition is present ten (10) minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed”.

The question was put on the amendment of Robert Vincent and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 4.

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

Chris Warkentin moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Mike Lake, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Chair is unable to act in that capacity” with the words “Chair and Vice-Chairs are unable to act as Chair”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That when the Chair and Vice-Chairs are unable to act as Chair 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.

Anthony Rota moved, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages.

On motion of Mike Lake, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “languages” the following: “and that the Clerk advise all witnesses of this requirement”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages and that the Clerk advise all witnesses of this requirement.

On motion of Chris Warkentin, it was agreed, — 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.

On motion of Brian Masse, it was agreed, — That each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings and that, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one member of the Whip’s staff attend in camera meetings.

On motion of Anthony Rota, 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 Brian Masse, 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.

On motion of Brian Masse, it was agreed, — 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) representatives from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed and that exceptional circumstances payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Mike Lake moved, — 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 seven (7) 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
- Independent M.P.
- Liberal Party
- Conservative Party

Round 3 five (5) minutes:

- Conservative Party
- Bloc Québécois
- Liberal Party
- New Democratic Party.

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:20 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:25 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Anthony Rota moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the last Conservative Party spot of the 2nd round and that the 4th round consist of five (5) minutes and be as follows:

Round 4 five (5) minutes:

- Conservative Party
- Bloc Québécois
- Liberal Party
- New Democratic Party.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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 seven (7) 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
- Independent M.P.
- Liberal Party

Round 3 five (5) minutes:

- Conservative Party
- Bloc Québécois
- Liberal Party
- New Democratic Party

Round 4 five (5) minutes:

- Conservative Party
- Bloc Québécois
- Liberal Party
- New Democratic Party.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of Industry, the Hon. Tony Clement, be invited to appear before the Committee at the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 10th, 2009.

At 4:52 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.