CC38 Committee Meeting

The Legislative Committee on Bill C-38 met in a televised session at 1:05 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D Centre Block, the Chair, Marcel Proulx, presiding.

On motion of Don Boudria, it was agreed, — That the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, one Liberal Party Member, one Conservative Party Member, one Bloc Quebecois Member and one New Democratic Party Member.

On motion of Réal Ménard, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Réal Ménard, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one (1) member of the Opposition.

On motion of Vic Toews, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; That, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes to the first questioner of each party, starting with the Opposition parties; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between Opposition parties and Government.

On motion of Don Boudria, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization.

On motion of Don Boudria, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

On motion of Richard Marceau, it was agreed, — That, unless there is unanimous consent, 48 hours of written notice be given to the Members of the Committee before any new item of business be considered by the Committee. That the said motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

On motion of Vic Toews, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Don Boudria, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages and that no document from a witness be distributed without the Clerk's approval.

On motion of Françoise Boivin, it was agreed, — That amendments to the Bill be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee 48 hours prior to clause by clause consideration.

On motion of Richard Marceau, it was agreed, — That the Committee may refer as required to evidence received during the study of the issue of marriage and the recognition of same-sex unions by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights during the second session of the 37th Parliament.

At 1:25 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.