AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met at 11:38 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Chris Warkentin, presiding.

Linda Duncan moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and the Parliamentary Secretary, who will not have a vote.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Greg Rickford, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by removing the text after the word “composed” with the words “of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and another member of the government. That quorum will consist of three (3) members, and each member will be allowed to have a staffer present, in addition, each party will be allowed to have a representative present”.

Linda Duncan moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “present” the following: “That the Subcommittee make all decisions by consensus”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Linda Duncan and it was negatived.

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 Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and another member of the government. That quorum will consist of three (3) members, and each member be allowed to have a staffer present in addition, each party will be allowed to have a representative present.

Kyle Seeback 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 (1) member of the opposition and one (1) member of the government.

Debate arose thereon.

Linda Duncan moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “government” the following: “Provided that no other reasonable means of hearing and reviewing the testimony is available”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Linda Duncan and it was negatived.

Greg Rickford moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “official” between the words “the” and “opposition”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Greg Rickford 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 the evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present including one (1) member of the official opposition and one (1) member of the government.

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.

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.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

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.

Linda Duncan moved, — That 24 hours notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive 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.

Debate arose thereon.

Greg Rickford moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “24” with the word “48”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Greg Rickford 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 48 hours notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive 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.

At 1:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.