FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met in camera at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Rodney Weston, presiding.

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.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and the parliamentary secretary and a member of the government party.

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 government member and one opposition member.

It was agreed, — That 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 (2) 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 and in addition each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

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.

It was agreed, — 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 by 5:00 p.m. to members in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement. During the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the 1st round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the 2nd and subsequent rounds of questioning; and that the order of questions for the 1st round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party. Questioning during the 2nd round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party; based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witness (es). If time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the chair.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the Committee be instructed to request from the Minister’s office the curriculum vitae of an appointee or nominee once the Committee has been notified of their nomination and distribute it to the members of the Committee.

At 5:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.