CC20 Committee Meeting

The Legislative Committee on Bill C-20 met at 3:41 p.m. this day, in Room 307, West Block, the Chair, Albina Guarnieri, presiding.

On motion of Raymonde Folco, 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.

Raymonde Folco moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair and a member of every party.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Brian Murphy moved, — 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.

Monique Guay moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “three (3)” by the words “five (5)”, by replacing the word “one” by the words “two (2)” and by adding after the word “opposition”, the following: “and at least one member of the government”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Monique Guay and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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 five (5) members are present, including two (2) members of the opposition and at least one member of the government.

On motion of Pierre A. Paquette, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Raymonde Folco, 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 Brian Murphy, 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 more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

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

Monique Guay moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meeting” the following: “and one party staff”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Monique Guay and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and one party staff .

On motion of Monique Guay, it was agreed, — 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.

Pat Martin moved, — That, except for amendments to bills, twenty-four (24) hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Hedy Fry moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “twenty-four (24)” with the words “forty-eight (48)”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Hedy Fry and it was negatived.

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

On motion of Brian Murphy, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes to the first questioner of each party, starting with the opposition parties; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between opposition parties and Government.

Monique Guay moved, — That the Committee meet on Wednesdays, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and that its meetings be televised, if possible.

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

It was agreed, — That Minister Peter Van Loan appear before the Committee on Wednesday, March the 5th.

On motion of Pierre A. Paquette, it was agreed, — That the members of the Committee provide the Clerk with a preliminary list of witnesses by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, March 5, and a second list no later than Friday, March 7.

On motion of Brian Murphy, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be responsible for the selection of witnesses.

At 4:20 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.