M-44 Special committee on the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act

That, as mandated in section 45 of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which received royal assent on November 6, 2014, the House appoint a special committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this act:

(a) that the committee be composed of 12 members, of which six shall be government members, four shall be from the official opposition, one shall be from the Bloc Québécois and one from the New Democratic Party;

(b) that a representative from the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform be attached to the committee as an ex officio member, and as such have the right to participate in all meetings, to propose and question witnesses, to participate in drafting the report, and to be compensated for any expenses incurred in fulfilling this role in a manner similar to other members of the committee;

(c) that changes in the membership of the committee shall be effective immediately after notification by the whip has been filed with the Clerk of the House;

(d) that membership substitutions be permitted, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2);

(e) that the members shall be named by their respective whip by depositing with the Clerk of the House the list of their members to serve on the committee no later than September 21, 2020;

(f) that the Clerk of the House shall convene an organization meeting of the said committee for no later than October 2, 2020;

(g) that the committee be chaired by a member of the government party;

(h) that notwithstanding Standing Order 106(2), in addition to the Chair, there be one vice-chair from the official opposition, one vice-chair from the Bloc Québécois and one vice-chair from the New Democratic Party;

(i) that quorum of the committee be as provided for in Standing Order 118 and 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 members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government;

(j) that the committee be granted all of the powers of a standing committee, as provided in the Standing Orders, as well as the power to travel, accompanied by the necessary staff;

(k) that the committee be allowed to meet virtually, if and as required, and have the power to authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings; and

(l) that within six months after this review is undertaken or within such further time as the House may authorize, the committee present a report on the review to the House, including a statement of any changes the committee recommends.