FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 208 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Rodger Cuzner, it was agreed, — That Tom Wappel be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

Loyola Hearn moved, — That Gerald Keddy be elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Rodger Cuzner moved, — That John Cummins be elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

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

The ballots having been counted, Gerald Keddy was declared duly elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Rodger Cuzner, it was agreed, — That Peter Stoffer be elected as opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Tom Wappel took the Chair.

On motion of Gerald Keddy, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a representative from the Liberal Party and a representative from the Bloc Québécois .

On motion of Shawn Murphy, 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 Gerald Keddy, 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 three (3) members are present including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Bill Matthews, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes to the first questioner of the Conservative Party, five (5)minutes to the first questioner of the Bloc Québécois, five (5) minutes to the questioner of the New Democratic Party and ten (10) minutes to the first questioner of the Liberal Party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and opposition parties.

On motion of Larry Bagnell, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses invited by the Committee not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, 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, and that no document from a witness be distributed without the clerk's authorization .

On motion of Shawn Murphy, 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 Greg Thompson, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Bill Matthews, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Greg Thompson, 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.

At 4:04 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.