RNNR Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Natural Resources met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Russ Hiebert, it was agreed, — That Leon Benoit be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Geoff Regan, it was agreed, — That Alan Tonks be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Paule Brunelle, it was agreed, — That Nathan Cullen be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Leon Benoit took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to the study of Routine Motions.

On motion of Alan Tonks, 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.

Mike Allen 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 4 members are present, including 2 members of the opposition and 1 member from the government.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Bill Siksay 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 4 members are present, including 2 members of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “including 2 members of the opposition” with the words “including 1 member of each recognized party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Russ Hiebert and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 6.

David Anderson moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “including 2 members of the opposition”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Anderson and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 1.

On motion of Geoff Regan, 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 Bradley R. Trost, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized, at the discretion of the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

Bill Siksay moved, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, child care and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

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

On motion of David Anderson, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member in attendance be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person from their office and one staff person from their party at any in camera meeting.

On motion of Devinder Shory, 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.

On motion of Russ Hiebert, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive 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.

David Anderson moved, — That witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated as follows:

Round 1 (7 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party

Round 2 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party.

Bill Siksay moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “ Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party.” with the words “Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party,

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party”.

David Anderson moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party” with the words “Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party”.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the proposed subamendment inadmissible as it exceeded the scope of the amendment, as provided on page 453 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment of Bill Sikay was withdrawn.

Russ Hiebert moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “New Democratic Party” after the words “Round 2 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Russ Hiebert and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Geoff Regan moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “ Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party.” with the words “Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party”.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Allen moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing after the words “Round 2 (5 minutes): Liberal Party” by adding the words “Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Mike Allen and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

The question was put on the amendment of Geoff Regan, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated as follows:

Round 1 (7 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party

Round 2 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

David Anderson moved, — That the consideration and examination of any Bill (Government or Private Member's Bill) which falls within the express mandate of the committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination other than questions of privilege and that in such circumstances the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the Bill is reported back to the House.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

It was agreed, — That the Minister be invited to appear in relation to the study on Supplementary Estimates (B) 2008-2009: Votes 1b, 5b, 15b and 25b under NATURAL RESOURCES.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.