CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:11 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That Gary Schellenberger be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Andy Scott, it was agreed, — That Mauril Bélanger be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Luc Malo, it was agreed, — That Maria Mourani be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee in abstentia.

Gary Schellenberger took the Chair.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That the Routine Motions adopted during the First session of the 39th Parliament be adopted as a whole, as follows:

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;

That all matters related to the Committee's business agenda and procedure be taken up in the committee of the whole;

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 a member of the opposition;

That witnesses be given up to 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 in the second round five (5) minutes be allocated to the Liberal, the Bloc Quebecois and the Conservative Party; and that in the third round five (5) minutes be allocated to the Liberal, the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party; and if time permits, in the fourth round five (5) minutes be allocated to the Liberal and the Conservative Party;

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 at the discretion of the Chair;

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;

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees;

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;

That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to the members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee's next meeting, and

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Andy Scott, it was agreed, — That the Committee resume its study on the Role of a Public Broadcaster in the 21st Century started in the previous session and, - that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee during the first session of the 39th Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session.

At 11:24 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.