FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 11:09 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

Patricia Davidson moved, — That Hedy Fry be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That Patricia Davidson be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Nicole Demers moved, — That Irene Mathyssen be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Hedy Fry took the Chair.

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That the Standing Committee on Status of Women welcome the Honourable Helena Guergis to speak to the committee members on Thursday, February 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to introduce herself to the committee as the new Minister of Status of Women, to share with the committee the work she has undertaken since becoming the Minister of Status of Women and to discuss the future business of the committee.

Debate arose thereon.

Anita Neville moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “share with the committee the work she has undertaken since becoming the Minister of Status of Women and to discuss the future business of the committee ” with the words “discuss the Estimates”.

Debate arose thereon.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “discuss the Estimates” with the words“ answer questions regarding the Estimates”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Irene Mathyssen and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Anita Neville 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 Standing Committee on Status of Women welcome the Honourable Helena Guergis to speak to the committee members on Thursday, February 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to introduce herself to the committee as the new Minister of Status of Women, and to answer questions regarding the Estimates.

On motion of Nicole Demers, it was agreed, — That a light lunch i.e. soup and sandwiches be served at meetings since the Committee will be sitting between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays .

Johanne Deschamps moved, — That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women recommend to the federal government to take real action to support women and denounce their abuse, both in Canada and abroad and that the Committee report this motion to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 0.

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.

Anita Neville moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

Patricia Davidson moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “three (3)” with the word “four (4)” and by adding after the word ”opposition” , the following: ”and of the government”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Patricia Davidson and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

Cathy McLeod moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “three (3)” with the word “four (4)” and by replacing the words ” including a member of the opposition” , with the words : ”and including at least one member from each party”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

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

Anita Neville moved, — 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, and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the authorization of the Clerk of the Committee.

Debate arose thereon.

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “only” after the word “that” and by replacing the words “documents only when they exist in both official languages, and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the authorization of the Clerk of the Committee” with the words “any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Sylvie Boucher 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 only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages, and that the Clerk advise all witnesses appearing before committee of this requirement.

Alexandra Mendes moved, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee .

Debate arose thereon.

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee” with the words “the Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Sylvie Boucher and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 0.

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 Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget.

Alexandra Mendes moved, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair and that, if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

Debate arose thereon.

Anita Neville moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “if requested” after the words “and that”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Anita Neville 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, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding one representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair and that, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That witnesses be given 10 minutes to make their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning, 7 minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party. On the following rounds of questioning, 5 minutes per party in the following order : Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québecois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

Debate arose thereon.

Patricia Davidson moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québecois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party” with the words “Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québecois, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Conservative”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the amendment was negatived.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

It was agreed, — That each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings and that in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

Alexandra Mendes moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “members of the Committee” with the words “Members of Parliament”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

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

Anita Neville moved, — 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 and that upon receipt of notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee's next meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Johanne Deschamps moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “motion is considered by the Committee” the following: “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the amendment 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 except for amendments to bills, forty eight (48) hours notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages and that upon receipt of notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee's next meeting.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women request all members of the Committee not to use their Blackberries while witnesses are testifying, out of respect for the witnesses.

Irene Mathyssen gave notice of the following motion: That the Committee re-table Report 11 of the Second Session at the 39th Parliament on Gender budgeting.

At 12:27 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.