HUMA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Dean Allison, presiding.

Mike Lake moved, — That in hearing evidence, the witnesses be allowed a maximum of ten (10) minutes for their presentation and that the rounds of questioning be as follows:

First Round (time includes Question & Answer) - Liberal Party - 7 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 7 minutes - New Democratic Party - 7 minutes - Conservative Party - 7 minutes.

Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) - Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party – 5 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 5 minutes - Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party – 5 minutes - New Democratic Party - 5 minutes.

Subsequent Round (times includes Question & Answer) Back and forth between the opposition and the government – 5 minutes.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived.

Michael Savage moved, — That in hearing evidence, the witnesses be allowed a maximum of ten (10) minutes for their presentation and that the rounds of questioning be as follows:

First Round (time includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 7 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 7 minutes - New Democratic Party - 7 minutes - Conservative Party - 7 minutes.

Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 5 minutes - New Democratic Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes.

Third Round (times includes Question & Answer) Back and forth between the opposition and the government, at the discretion of the Chair – 5 minutes, beginning with the Liberal Party.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Lake moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 5 minutes - New Democratic Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes. ” with the words “Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 5 minutes - Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes - New Democratic Party - 5 minutes ”.

At 3:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:58 p.m., the sitting resumed on the amendment of Mike Lake.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mike Lake and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: France Bonsant, Michael D. Chong, Jacques Gourde, Mike Lake, Yves Lessard, Lynne Yelich — 6; NAYS: Rodger Cuzner, Ruby Dhalla, Tony Martin, Michael Savage, Judy Sgro — 5.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That in hearing evidence, the witnesses be allowed a maximum of ten (10) minutes for their presentation and that the rounds of questioning be as follows:

First Round (time includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 7 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 7 minutes - New Democratic Party - 7 minutes - Conservative Party - 7 minutes.

Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes - Bloc Québécois - 5 minutes - Liberal Party - 5 minutes - Conservative Party - 5 minutes - New Democratic Party - 5 minutes.

Third Round (times includes Question & Answer) Back and forth between the opposition and the government, at the discretion of the Chair – 5 minutes, beginning with the Liberal Party.

On motion of Michael Savage, 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 Michael Savage, 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.

On motion of Ruby Dhalla, it was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Chair, in consultation with the Clerk, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, from time to time and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee's budget.

On motion of Lynne Yelich, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member at in camera meetings.

On motion of Michael Savage, it was agreed, — That unless there is unanimous consent, two days written notice must be given before any new item of business be considered by the Committee.

On motion of Ruby Dhalla, 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 Michael Savage, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as four (4) members are present, including an opposition member.

On motion of Tony Martin, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

On motion of Michael Savage, it was agreed, — That the Clerk circulate to all Members of the Committee, Order in Council appointments referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources.

On motion of Tony Martin, it was agreed, — 1. That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, which is televised if possible.

2. That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, which is televised if possible .

At 4:15 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.