CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(2).

On motion of Dean Allison, it was agreed, — That Lee Richardson be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Lui Temelkovski, it was agreed, — That John Maloney be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Luc Malo, it was agreed, — That Serge Cardin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Lee Richardson took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the study of Routine Motions.

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

John Maloney moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

Debate arose thereon.

Brian Pallister moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Vice-Chairs” the following: “, the Parliamentary Secretary, a second member of the Liberal Party,”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brian Pallister and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

John Maloney moved, — 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 3 members are present, including one member of the opposition and provided that if no member of the opposition is present 10 minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed.

Debate arose thereon.

Dean Allison moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “proceed” the following: “ In the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Dean Allison and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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 3 members are present, including 1 member of the opposition and provided that if no member of the opposition is present 10 minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed. In case the previously scheduled meeting taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

On motion of Ron Cannan, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

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

On motion of Larry Miller, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding 2 representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

John Maloney moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Larry Miller moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meeting” the following: “In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from the whip's office attend in camera meetings”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Larry Miller and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from the whip’s office attend in camera meetings.

On motion of Navdeep Bains, 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.

On motion of Brian Masse, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Brian Masse moved, — That, at the discretion of the Chair, witnesses be given up to 10 minutes for their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated to each questioner be as follows:

On the first round of questioning, up to 7 minutes for the first questioner of each party:

First round of questions of 7 minutes: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party.

Subsequent rounds of 5 minutes: the sequence of Round 1 will apply.

Debate arose thereon.

Larry Miller moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the sequence of Round 1 will apply. ” with the words:

Second Round

Liberal Party, Bloc Québecois, Conservative Party

Third Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Fourth Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Larry Miller and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Ron Cannan moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the sequence of Round 1 will apply” with the words:

Second Round

Liberal Party, Bloc Québecois, Conservative Party

Third Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Fourth Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ron Cannan and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, at the discretion of the Chair, the witnesses be given up to ten (10) minutes for their opening statement. That during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated to each questioner be as follows:

On the first round of questioning , up to seven (7) minutes for the first question of each party :

First round of questions of seven (7) minutes:

Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party.

Subsequent rounds of five (5) minutes:

Second Round

Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Third Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Fourth Round

Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party .

Brian Pallister moved, — That every party shall have the right to attach, as an annex, a dissenting or supplementary opinion on any report to be presented to the House of Commons by the Committee; and that this dissenting or supplementary opinion shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee within 72 hours of the passing of the report by the Committee in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House of Commons.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

At 4:54 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.