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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC)
43rd Parliament, 2nd Session
Meeting 8
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 11:01 a.m. to 1:08 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Ruby Sahota, Chair (Liberal)

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• Francis Drouin for Mark Gerretsen (Liberal)
• Christine Normandin for Alain Therrien (Bloc Québécois)
• Elizabeth May (Green Party)
Library of Parliament
• Andre Barnes, Analyst
• Laurence Brosseau, Analyst
Conduct of a Federal Election during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Government of New Brunswick
• Jennifer Russell, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health
Government of Saskatchewan
• Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer, Ministry of Health
• Denise Werker, Medical Health Officer, Ministry of Health
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a)(vi) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, the committee resumed its study of the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

Committee Business
The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

Your subcommittee met on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the committee extend its meeting of Tuesday, November 17, 2020, to three hours from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (subject to availability), to hear from the Speaker and House of Commons officials, and the Chief Electoral Officer on Main Estimates 2020-21 and Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21, in two successive panels, pursuant to the motion adopted in the committee on October 29, 2020.

2. That the committee hear from the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and senior officials from the Federal Leaders’ Debate Commission on Thursday, November 19, 2020, on Main Estimates 2020-21 and Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21, pursuant to the motion adopted in the committee on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

3. That the committee schedule an additional meeting, beyond its usual complement of meetings, on Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to hear from three panels of witnesses on the committee’s study on the conduct of the federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. That the committee schedule an additional meeting, beyond its usual complement of meetings, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (subject to availability), to hear from three panels of witnesses on the committee’s study on the conduct of the federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. That, in relation to its study on the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee instruct the Chair to write to the Ms. Alicia Wright, Chief Electoral Officer of New Zealand, requesting a written response outlining the New Zealand’s experience in conducting their recent general election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. That, in relation to its study on the conduct of the federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee instruct the Chair to write to the presidents of all registered parties, with at least one elected Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, requesting that they provide written responses, containing their recommendations, concerns, advice on how a federal election could be conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. That the committee modify its reporting deadline to the House, of an interim report, from December 1, 2020 to December 11, 2020, on the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8. That the committee consider a draft interim report on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

9. That all remaining meetings beyond Thursday, November 19, 2020 and not reserved for the consideration of a draft interim report, be used to hear from additional witnesses on the study of the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. That Dr. Theresa Tam be invited to appear on the committee’s study of the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

11. That the committee, upon completion of its study on the conduct of a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic, initiate a study on the document tabled in the House, pursuant to Standing Order 32(7), and referred to the committee, on the Government’s reasons for proroguing parliament in August 2020. In an upcoming meeting, the Committee schedule a business item to discuss when it will commence this study.

At 1:08 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Justin Vaive
Clerk of the Committee