FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Anita Neville, it was agreed, — That Hon. Hedy Fry be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Sylvie Boucher, it was agreed, — That Cathy McLeod be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Nicole Demers, it was agreed, — That Irene Mathyssen be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Hon. Hedy Fry took the Chair.

On motion of Anita Neville, it was agreed, — That the Committee request that the Minister of State for the Agency of the Status of Women appear before the Committee before March 18, 2010 on the subject of the Supplementary Estimates.

On motion of Anita Neville, it was agreed, — That the Committee request that Suzanne Clément Coordinator and Head of Agency, Status of Women Canada appear before the Committee at the earliest possibility and on the same date as the Minister.

Nicole Demers moved, — Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the following motion be reported to the House at the earliest opportunity:

That the Committee hold a commemoration ceremony each year on December 5, or on the day closest to December 5 if the House is not sitting that day, in remembrance of the date that Bill C-68 (An Act respecting firearms and other weapons) was passed by the Senate and received Royal Assent in 1995.

The question was put on the motion and the results of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 3:58 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:59 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

Pursuant to Order made by the House on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session are deemed to have been adopted by the Committee in the current session:

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.

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the opposition.

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.

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.

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair and that, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

That witnesses be given 10 minutes to make their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning, 7 minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party. On the following rounds of questioning, 5 minutes per party in the following order: Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

That 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.

That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

That except for amendments to bills, forty eight (48) hours notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee's next meeting.

That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women request all members of the Committee not to use their Blackberries while witnesses are testifying, out of respect for the witnesses.

It was agreed, — That the Committee resume its study increasing the participation of women in non-traditional occupations started in the previous session and, that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee during the second session of the 40th Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on Violence against Aboriginal women.

At 4:14 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.