AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met at 9:10 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Harold Albrecht, it was agreed, — That Bruce Stanton be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That Todd Russell be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Marc Lemay, it was agreed, — That Jean Crowder be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Bruce Stanton took the Chair.

At 9:18 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:23 a.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Marc Lemay, 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 Marc Lemay, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Marc Lemay, 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 Marc Lemay, 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.

On motion of Marc Lemay, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and additionally, each party would be allowed one staff person in that meeting.

On motion of Marc Lemay, 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 Marc Lemay, 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.

Marc Lemay moved, — 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.

Harold Albrecht moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “opposition party” the following: “and a member of the government”.

Larry Bagnell moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “and a member of the government” with the words “and the parliamentary secretary, who will not have a vote”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Larry Bagnell and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 1.

The question was put on the amendment of Harold Albrecht, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 1.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 1.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party, and the Parliamentary Secretary, who will not have a vote.

Marc Lemay 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 three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Harold Albrecht moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “one member of the opposition” the following: “and one member of the government”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Harold Albrecht and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion 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 three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

Marc Lemay moved, — That an organization be given up to ten (10) minutes at the discretion of the Chair for its opening statement; and that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the questioner of the official opposition, seven (7) minutes for the questioner of the other parties, starting with the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party and the Conservative Party, and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner until each member has the chance to question the witness (alternating between the Opposition Parties and the Government), and leaving at the discretion of the Chair the possibility to reduce the time limits of the second round of questions if time is running out.

Rob Clarke moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “alternating between the Opposition Parties and the Government” the following: “concluding with an additional, final question from the Government”.

The question was put on the amendment of Rob Clarke and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Jean Crowder moved, — That the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development be invited to appear in relation to the Supplementary Estimates on February 5, 2009.

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

At 10:00 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.