HESA Committee Meeting

     I see a quorum.

    Pursuant to Standing Order 106, we are here to elect the chair of the committee. I'm ready to receive a motion to that effect.

    Madam Bennett.

    I would like to nominate Joy Smith as the chair of this committee.

    It is moved by Madam Bennett that Joy Smith be elected chair of the committee.

    (Motion agreed to)

    The Clerk: I declare Madam Joy Smith elected chair of the committee.

    According to Marleau and Montpetit, when a committee chair is elected in absentia the clerk immediately proceeds to the election of an acting chair, who presides over the remainder of the meeting.

    We can now proceed to the election of a Chair. I am ready to receive motions to that effect.

    I'd like to nominate Patrick Brown for today's meeting, to be an acting chair.

    Mr. Carrie has nominated Mr. Patrick Brown to be the chair of the meeting for today.

    (Motion agreed to)

    The Clerk: I invite Mr. Patrick Brown to take the chair, please.

    Thank you, Colin, for this two-minute stint until we elect the vice-chair.

    Perhaps we could open the floor for nominations for vice-chair.

    I would like to nominate Joyce Murray, please.

    Are there any other nominations?

    (Motion agreed to)

    Thank you.

    We will do the remaining vice-chairs before I pass it over to the chair.

    Are there any nominations for the second vice-chair?

    Monsieur Malo.

    I'd like to propose Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis.

    Are there any other nominations for the position of second vice-chair?

    As I see none, is there agreement?

    (Motion agreed to)

    I thought this day would never come.

    I will adjourn the meeting to the call of the chair.

    A question?

    First of all, could I seek clarification in terms of when we'll meet next to deal with routine proceedings? Then, could I make a suggestion for the agenda, just because of the time? I understand that the government is interested in having estimates reported back to the House fairly quickly. I just want to make sure our committee has ample time to deal with the estimates. I'm wondering if it would be possible for us to agree that we have our hearings on the estimates next week--so that would be the 10th and the 12th--with an invitation to the minister to attend either one of those days and for officials to attend the day that she can't be there. We in fact will at least as a minimum have two days next week to deal with estimates--assuming, of course, that we can deal with routine proceedings now, or this Thursday, or at the beginning of the meeting next week.

    Ms. Bennett.

    I would agree with that, but I also would wonder if the clerk would find us a televised room for the meeting with the minister.

    Your comments have been recorded.

    Mr. Carrie.

    From the government side, we would be okay with however you'd like to handle the routine proceedings. If you'd like to do it on Thursday, that would be fine with us. I know Madam Smith would like to be here for that.

    As far as having the minister goes, I think she would be okay to come before the committee as long as scheduling is okay. We could ask her today to put that forward as promptly as possible.

    Do you have another comment, Ms. Bennett?

    Just for clarification, this Thursday we will deal with changes to the Standing Orders and have that conversation. Next week, on Tuesday and Thursday, there will be two meetings on estimates, one with officials and one with the minister, at the minister's convenience.

    And does there appear to be general consensus to that effect?

    Some hon. members: Agreed.

    The Acting Chair (Mr. Patrick Brown): As long as the minister is available, there appears to be agreement on both sides.

    Is there any other business?

    On that note, then, we adjourn the meeting.