FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(2).

On motion of James Lunney, it was agreed, — That Gerald Keddy be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That Bill Matthews be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Raynald Blais, it was agreed, — That Jean-Yves Roy be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, — That, on behalf of the Committe, the Chair send a letter to Tom Wappel, expressing its gratitude for his work as chair of the Committee in the 37th and 38th Parliaments.

On motion of Randy Kamp, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and a member of the Conservative Party.

On motion of James Lunney, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Fabian Manning, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

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

On motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding one representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Jean-Yves Roy moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

John Cummins moved, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Raynald Blais moved, — That witnesses be given 15 minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated 10 minutes to the first questioner of the Liberal Party, 7 minutes to the first questioner of the Bloc Québécois, 5 minutes to the questioner of the New Democratic Party and 10 minutes to the first questioner of the Conservative Party; and that if there is a subsequent round that the rotation be the same except all questioning be for 5 minutes.

Debate arose thereon.

James Lunney moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all of the words after “subsequent round” by the following: “that there be allocated 5 minutes to the Liberal Party, 5 minutes to the Conservative Party, 5 minutes to the Bloc Québécois, 5 to the New Democratic Party, and 5 minutes to the Conservative Party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of James Lunney and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

On motion of Gerry Byrne, it was agreed, — That the Committee's order regarding time limits for witness statements and questioning be rescinded, and that witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated 10 minutes to the first questioner of the Liberal Party, 7 minutes to the first questioner of the Bloc Québécois, 5 minutes to the questioner of the New Democratic Party and 10 minutes to the first questioner of the Conservative Party; and that if there is a subsequent round that the rotation be the same except all questioning be for 5 minutes .

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. regarding future business.

At 10:04 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.