ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met in a televised session at 8:45 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Pat Martin, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Paul Calandra, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) Suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) During the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

The debate continued.

Scott Andrews moved, — That the motion be amended by by replacing the words “the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them” with the words “which is to be scheduled so as to ensure that no two clause-by-clause considerations of Bills by a Standing Committee are scheduled concurrently, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to: participate fully in clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, subject to S.O. 76(5); make representations in support of the amendments commensurate to speaking privileges enjoyed by full members of the Committee; and participate in any in camera meetings”.

Debate arose thereon.

Paul Calandra moved, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Paul Calandra, John Carmichael, Patricia Davidson, Earl Dreeshen, Jacques Gourde, Colin Mayes, Tilly O'Neill Gordon — 7; NAYS: Scott Andrews, Charlie Angus, Charmaine Borg, Mathieu Ravignat — 4.

At 9:15 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:17 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That non-members of the Committee be allowed to remain in the room.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) Suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) During the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

It was agreed, — 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 four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

It was agreed, — 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.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee.

It was agreed, — 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 including if requested, reasonable childcare expenses be reimbursed.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meetings and that each party be allowed one additional staff person at such meetings.

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.

It was agreed, — That notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages at least 48 hours prior to the start time of the meeting where the motion may be moved.

It was agreed, — That the order of questions for the 1st round of questioning shall be as follows: NDP, CPC, LIB, CPC. During the 2nd round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, LIB, CPC and CPC; based on the principle that each Committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witness (es); if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed 10 minutes to make their opening statement; during the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the 1st round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the 2nd and subsequent rounds of questioning.

It was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

At 9:58 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.