ENVI Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 1

Thursday, February 22, 2001

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 9:05 a.m. this day, in Room 307, West Block.

Members of the Committee present: Bernard Bigras, Charles L. Caccia, Joe Comartin, Paul Forseth, Marcel Gagnon, John Herron, Gar Knutson, Karen Kraft Sloan, Rick Laliberte, Bob Mills, James Moore, Karen Redman, Julian Reed, Andy Savoy.

Acting Members present: Jacques Saada for Hélène Scherrer, Guy St-Julien (9:05-9:30) and Alen Tonks (9:30-9:40) for Aileen Carroll.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Kristen Douglas, Monique Hébert and Tim Williams, Research Officers.

Organization meeting, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1) and (2): Election of a Chair and Vice-Chairs.

The Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.

On motion of Gar Knutson, seconded by Guy St-Julien, Charles Caccia was elected Chair of the Committee.

Charles Caccia took the Chair.

The Chair made an opening statement.

Paul Forseth moved, - That Bob Mills be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Joe Comartin moved, - That John Herron be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Gar Knutson moved, - That Karen Kraft Sloan be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the first motion, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

The question being put on the second motion, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

The question being put on the third motion, it was agreed to.

Accordingly, Karen Kraft Sloan was elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Jacques Saada moved, - That Bob Mills be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Joe Comartin moved, - That John Herron be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the first motion, it was agreed to on the following show of hands:

Accordingly, Bob Mills was elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

It was agreed, - That the committee retain the services of one or more research officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Julian Reed moved, - That the Chair be authorised to hold meetings and to receive evidence, when a quorum is not present provided that at least five (5) members are present.

After debate, John Herron moved, - That the motion be amended by adding after the word "present", the following:

" including at least one (1) from the Opposition ".

After debate, the amendment was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, was agreed to.

It was agreed, - That witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement.

Bob Mills moved, - That the Committee adopt the following sequence for the questioning of witnesses:

After debate, Bob Mills moved, - That the Committee do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

Debate resumed on the motion of Bob Mills as follows:

- That the Committee adopt the following sequence for the questioning of witnesses:

The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

John Herron moved, - That all questioning be limited to five (5) minutes per member and that the Chair direct the first two (2) questions to Opposition members, the second two (2) questions to Government members and that subsequent questions be alternately shared between Opposition and Government members at the discretion of the Chair.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to on the following show of hands:

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 to a maximum of two (2) representatives for any one organization.

It was agreed, - That from time to time, at the request of a Member or staff person of the Committee and if authorised by the Chair, the Clerk be authorised to order books or publications for the use of the Committee, particularly if the publications are not available or difficult to obtain from the Library of Parliament.

It was agreed, - That a notice of 24 hours be required before any substantive motion may be presented to the Committee.

It was agreed, - That the Chair be authorised to purchase gifts on behalf of the Committee for visiting delegations to Canada meeting with the Committee or for foreign hosts when the Committee is travelling abroad.

It was agreed, - That from time to time the Committee hold working sessions during meal hours and that the cost of meals be charged to the Committee.

It was agreed, - That whenever an Order-in-Council appointment or certificate of nomination for an appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk of the Committee obtain and circulate to each Member of the Committee, a copy of the curriculum vitae of each appointee or nominee.

It was agreed, - That the Clerk of the Committee be authorised to distribute documents received from the public only after they have been translated in both official languages.

At 9:40 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Eugene Morawski
Clerk of the Committee