STER Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on the Review of the Anti-terrorism Act of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met at 9:05 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, — That Gord Brown be elected Chair of the Subcommittee.

On motion of Dave MacKenzie, it was agreed, — That Roy Cullen be elected First Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

On motion of Rick Norlock, it was agreed, — That Serge Ménard be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

Gord Brown took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee proceed with the study of Routine Motions.

On motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee 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 Tom Wappel, 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Subcommittee only documents that are available in both official languages.

On motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Subcommittee.

On motion of Roy Cullen, 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 seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner continuing with the Opposition going first and alternating between Government members and Opposition members until every member has spoken once.

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

Dave MacKenzie moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Subcommittee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Serge Ménard moved, — That the French version be amended by adding “ou de son parti personnel” after the word “personnel”.

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

On motion of Roy Cullen, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Subcommittee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Subcommittee.

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

At 9:19 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:19 a.m., the Subcommittee resumed sitting in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee invite the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Public Safety to appear before the Subcommittee on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee take into consideration the evidence published by the Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness in the first session of the 38th Parliament during its review of the Anti-terrorism Act.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee receive a briefing from the Subcommittee analyst on the information obtained by the former Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security during its review of the Anti-terrorism Act.

At 9:51 a.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.