INST Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Larry Bagnell, it was agreed, — That Brent St.Denis be elected, in absentia, Chair of the Committee.

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

Grant McNally moved, — That James Rajotte be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Réal Ménard moved, — That Paul Crête 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, James Rajotte was declared duly elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Raymond Simard, it was agreed, — That Marlene Jennings be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Government Vice-Chair, Marlene Jennings, took the Chair.

Ovid Jackson moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a representative of the Conservative Party, one Bloc Québécois Member and one New Democratic Party Member.

Debate arose thereon.

Joe Fontana moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after “Parliamentary Secretary” the following: “to the Prime Minister (Science and Small Business)”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Joe Fontana and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Larry Bagnell, David Collenette, Joe Fontana, Ovid Jackson, Grant McNally, James Rajotte, Raymond Simard, Lyle Vanclief — 8; NAYS: Cheryl Gallant, Yvon Godin, Réal Ménard, Carol Skelton — 4.

Lyle Vanclief moved, — That the motion as amended be adopted.

On motion of Raymond Simard, 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 Yvon Godin, 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 four (4) members and the Chair are present, including a member of the opposition.

On motion of Ovid Jackson, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated five (5) minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between Government and Opposition parties.

On motion of Ovid Jackson, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization.

On motion of Ovid Jackson, 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 Ovid Jackson, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make, from time to time, the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees and the cost of these meals be charged to the budget of the Committee.

On motion of Grant McNally, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one (1) staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Grant McNally, it was agreed, — That one (1) copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee and be disposed of at the end of the session.

On motion of Grant McNally, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ written 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 Joe Fontana, it was agreed, — That no more than ten (10) minutes be allocated to the Minister’s presentation when his/her appearance will not exceed sixty (60) minutes.

On motion of James Rajotte, it was agreed, — That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, televised if possible.

On motion of James Rajotte, 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, televised if possible.

At 4:19 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.