OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Chris Warkentin, it was agreed, — That Yasmin Ratansi be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Martha Hall Findlay, it was agreed, — That Chris Warkentin be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Diane Bourgeois, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Yasmin Ratansi took the Chair.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

Pursuant to Order made by the House on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the following routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session are deemed to have been adopted by the Committee in the current session:

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 witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated eight (8) minutes for the first questioner of each party including the responses of the witnesses as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, and New Democratic Party; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes, including the responses of witnesses, be allocated to each party as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party.

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member from the Official Opposition and a member from the opposition party to which the Second Vice-Chair does not belong.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive 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.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet on Monday, March 15, 2010, to plan its future business and meanwhile, that the clerk be authorized to distribute to the Committee members the draft report in relation to the Committee's previous study on the implementation of the Economic Action Plan.

At 3:50 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.