SDIR Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 214, Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Mario Silva, it was agreed, — That Scott Reid be elected Chair of the Subcommittee.

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

On motion of David Sweet, it was agreed, — That Mario Silva be elected First Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

On motion of Mario Silva, it was agreed, — That Jean Dorion be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

Scott Reid took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the routine motions adopted during the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament be adopted, as amended, as follows:

That the Subcommittee 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 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 witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and opposition parties.

That two (2) working days notice be given for any substantive motion to be considered by the Subcommittee, and that notices of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Subcommittee by 3:00 p.m.and that upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk put the motion on the agenda of the Subcommittee’s next meeting and distribute it to members in both official languages.

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

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation 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.

That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Subcommittee only documents that are available in both official languages.

That the Clerk of the Subcommittee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Subcommittee.

That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Subcommittee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Subcommittee.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At 3:35 p.m., the Subcommittee proceeded to sit in camera.

It was agreed, — That the evidence and documentation received by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights during the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament in relation to its study of Iran and human rights be taken into consideration by the Sucommittee in this session.

At 3:48 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.