OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That Leon Benoit be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That Paul Szabo be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Louise Thibault, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Leon Benoit took the Chair.

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed, — That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a representative of the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party, do compose the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

On motion of Paul Szabo, 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 Marcel Gagnon, 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 a member of the opposition.

On motion of Marcel Gagnon, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given five (5) to 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) to eight (8) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Liberal Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party and Liberal Party; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each party as follows: Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party.

On motion of Paul Szabo, 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 at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to the members of the Committee, only when they exist in both official languages.

On motion of Paul Szabo, 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 Paul Szabo, 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 Szabo, 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 Paul Szabo, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the 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.

At 11:28 a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

At 11:40 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.