AANR Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources met at 3:34 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 Stan Dromisky, it was agreed, — That Guy St-Julien be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Rick Laliberte, it was agreed, — That Nancy Karetak-Lindell be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pat Martin moved, — That Yvan Loubier be elected Chair of the Committee.

John Duncan moved, — That Maurice Vellacott be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Yvan Loubier moved, — That Pat Martin be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(3), the election was conducted by secret ballot.

The ballots having been counted, Maurice Vellacott was declared duly elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

André Harvey moved, — That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and a representative of the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party, do compose the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

John Duncan moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “the Parliamentary Secretary”.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Andy Burton, Serge Cardin, John Duncan, Reed Elley, Yvan Loubier, Pat Martin, Chuck Strahl — 7; NAYS: Larry Bagnell, Brenda Chamberlain, Stan Dromisky, André Harvey, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Rick Laliberte, Derek Lee, Andrew Telegdi — 8.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Parliamentary Secretary” the following: “as necessary”.

On motion of Rick Laliberte, 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, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of André Harvey, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including a member of the opposition.

Chuck Strahl moved, — That an organization be given up to ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; and that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated nine (9) minutes for the questioner of the official opposition, seven (7) minutes for the questioner of the other parties, and that thereafter three (3) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner (alternating between Government and Opposition parties).

Stan Dromisky moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “questioning of the other parties” the following:

“alternating between Government and opposition parties”.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Yvan Loubier, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by striking out the words “ten (10) minutes” and by substituting the following therefor:

“fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair”.

Pat Martin moved, — That when First Nations legislation is before the Committee, the Committee membership may be expanded to include at least one ex-officio representative from First Nations who would sit on the Committee with voice but no vote.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

On motion of André Harvey, 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 a third representative be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Yvan Loubier, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

On motion of Derek Lee, it was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

On motion of Reed Elley, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of André Harvey, it was agreed, — That unless otherwise decided by the members of the Committee, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of André Harvey, it was agreed, — That a transcript of in camera meetings be kept in the office of the Clerk of the Committee for the purpose of consultation by Members of the Committee, and be destroyed at the end of each session of Parliament.

On motion of Reed Elley, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages.

On motion of John Duncan, it was agreed, — That whenever the Main Estimates or Supplementary Estimates are referred to the Committee, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee and, if possible, that it be televised.

On motion of John Duncan, it was agreed, — That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee and, if possible, that it be televised.

At 5:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.