SECU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met at 5:34 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Candice Hoeppner, it was agreed, — That Kevin Sorenson be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Jasbir Sandhu, it was agreed, — That Randall Garrison be elected first Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Candice Hoeppner, it was agreed, — That Francis Scarpaleggia be elected second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Kevin Sorenson took the Chair.

On motion of Candice Hoeppner, 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.

Candice Hoeppner moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, a member of from the Official Opposition, the Second Vice-Chair, a second member from the government and the Parliamentary Secretary.

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

Candice Hoeppner moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings and to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member from the opposition and one member of the government.

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

Don Davies moved, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Jasbir Sandhu, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “official languages” the following: “and that witnesses be advised accordingly”.

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

The motion, as adopted, read as follows:

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages and that the witnesses be advised accordingly.

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.

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.

On motion of Candice Hoeppner, it was agreed, — That each committee member in attendance be permitted to have one staff member present at any in camera meeting and, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend in camera meetings.

Candice Hoeppner moved, — That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept by the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of the Committee.

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

Candice Hoeppner moved, — 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; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages; and that motions received by 4:00 p.m. be distributed to members that same day.

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

Candice Hoeppner moved, — That at the discretion of the Chair, the witnesses from any one organization be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that the order for questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes in a first round to the government, the Official Opposition, the government and then the third party; that in a second round, five (5) minutes be allocated to the Official Opposition, the government, the Official Opposition, the government, the Official Opposition and then the government, based on the principle that each Committee member shall have a full opportunity to question the witnesses; and that, if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two rounds at the discretion of the Chair.

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

It was agreed, — 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 72 hours of the adoption of the report by the committee.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Candice Hoeppner, it was agreed, — That the Committee study the selection criteria for the new Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found in Annex A of the Minister of Public Safety's letter to the Chair, and that the criteria be studies for one meeting.

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

At 6:34 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.