HERI Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 2

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met in camera at 9:13 o’clock a.m., this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

 Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Sarmite Bulte, Rodger Cuzner, Cheryl Gallant, John Harvard, André Harvey, Loyola Hearn, Wendy Lill, Clifford Lincoln, Dennis Mills.

 Acting Member present: David Price for Paul Bonwick, Benoit Sauvageau for Christiane Gagnon, Robert Lanctôt for Caroline St-Hilaire, Shawn Murphy for Bryon Wilfert, Diane Bourgeois for Christiane Gagnon (at 10:25a.m.)

 In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament:, Joe Jackson and Terry Thomas, Research Officers.

 In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to a discussion of future business.

 It was agreed, -That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, -That the Chair be authorised to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least (3) members are present including one member from the Opposition.

 It was agreed, -That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy, and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses, be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee, up to a maximum of two (2) representatives for any organisation.

 It was agreed, -That the witnesses be given up to 15 minutes for their opening statement and that during questioning of the witnesses, there be allocated 5 minutes for the first questioner of each party and that thereafter 5 minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner at the discretion of the Chair.

 It was agreed, -That unless there is unanimous consent of the Members of the Committee, forty-eight (48) hours notice must be given to the members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee and, that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to all members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk will put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

 It was agreed, - That documents be distributed to the Members of the Committee only when they are available in both official languages.

 It was agreed, - That a transcript of in camera meetings be kept in the office of the Clerk of the Committee for the purposes of consultation by Members of the committee.

 It was agreed, - That the Committee authorise the Chair, from time to time, as the need arises, to take, in conjunction with the Clerk of the Committee, the appropriate measures to provide lunches for the Committee (and its Sub-committees), for working purposes, and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the budget of the Committee.

 It was agreed, -That the Clerk of the Committee be instructed to endeavour to have all meetings televised whenever a Minister appears at Committee.

 It was agreed, -That the Committee establish a Sub-Committee on Sport, to be chaired by Dennis Mills and composed of nine members to be named by the Chair after the usual consultation with the Whips.

 It was agreed, -That the Committee undertake a study of the health of the Canadian broadcasting system and how successful it has been in effectively meeting the objectives in the Broadcasting Act.

 At 10:50 o’clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Christine Fisher

Clerk of the Committee