PROC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met in a televised session at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Gary Goodyear, presiding.

On motion of Marcel Proulx, 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.

On motion of Dominic LeBlanc, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

On motion of Joe Preston, it was agreed, — 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 three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Lucienne Robillard, 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 Pierre Lemieux, 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 Ken Epp, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Yvon Godin 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.

Karen Redman moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “in camera meeting” the following: “and that one member of each Whip's staff be allowed to attend”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Redman and it was agreed to.

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

On motion of Marcel Proulx, 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 Michel Guimond, it was agreed on division, — That no notice be required for any substantive motion.

On motion of Yvon Godin, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1), Chris Charlton replace Jean Crowder as a member of the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business.

Karen Redman moved, — That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs investigate the actions of the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 election, in relation to which Elections Canada has refused to reimburse Conservative candidates for illegitimate election campaign expenses.

The Chair ruled the motion out of order.

Whereupon, Karen Redman appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ken Epp, Pierre Lemieux, Joe Preston, Scott Reid — 4; NAYS: Yvon Godin, Michel Guimond, Dominic LeBlanc, Louis Plamondon, Marcel Proulx, Karen Redman, Lucienne Robillard — 7.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Karen Redman, — That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs investigate the actions of the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 election, in relation to which Elections Canada has refused to reimburse Conservative candidates for illegitimate election campaign expenses.

The debate continued.

Scott Reid moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the word “illegitimate”; and by replacing all the words after the word “expenses” with the following: “that are alleged not to be in conformity with the expenses limits under the Canada Elections Act”.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Karen Redman, — That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs investigate the actions of the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 election, in relation to which Elections Canada has refused to reimburse Conservative candidates for illegitimate election campaign expenses.

The debate continued.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “2006 election” with the following: “2004 and 2006 federal elections”; and by replacing all the words after the word “relation” with the following: “and in comparison to the election campaign expenses of the Liberal Party of Canada, and where Elections Canada has refused to reimburse some Conservative candidates for election campaign expenses”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:04 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.