Evidence of meeting #1 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Richard Rumas

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Richard Rumas

Good afternoon.

I'm here in my capacity as clerk of the committee to preside over the election of the chair. I'm ready to hear motions to that effect.

Mr. Moore.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

James Moore Conservative Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC

I'd like to nominate Diane Marleau as chair.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Moore that Madam Marleau be elected as chair of the committee.

(Motion agreed to)

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

I declare Madam Marleau elected chair of this committee.

The next order of business is the election of the two vice-chairs.

Mr. Albrecht.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON

I'd like to nominate Daryl Kramp as first vice-chair, in absentia.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

It is nominated that Daryl Kramp be elected as first vice-chair of this committee.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

James Moore Conservative Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC

There are two vice-chairs.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

No, one at a time, sequentially.

Are there any other nominations?

(Motion agreed to)

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

I will ask my new colleague under the committee's directorate, Michel Marcotte, to preside over the election of the second vice-chair.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Michel Marcotte

Thank you. I am now ready to receive nominations for the position of second vice-chair.

Mr. Nadeau.

3:30 p.m.

Bloc

Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC

I nominate Mr. Angus.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Michel Marcotte

Are there any other nominations?

(Motion agreed to)

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

I now ask Madam Marleau to come to the chair.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

We have routine motions for the formation of the committee. I believe the chair has copies to go around. Basically, it governs the number of witnesses; the witnesses; the time; the subcommittee on agenda and procedure; reduced quorum; distribution of documents. Basically, it's exactly the way it was during the last session. At least, this is what I'm told.

Mr. Silva.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I simply want to say that I'm new to the committee and am delighted to be a member of the committee. As well, I congratulate you on your election as chair.

It seems to me, from speaking to past members, that they were quite content with the business of the past sessions, in terms of the procedures and how it transpired. I think we should keep the same procedures. This will save us time for debate and adjourn the meeting.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

Are there any other comments?

Mr. Warkentin.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Madam Chair, I want to get clarification in terms of minority reports. What is the standard? I don't see it outlined in routine motions. I'm wondering if I could get some clarification as to what the current practice of our committee is.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

Mr. Rumas will address that.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

In the past, it has not been the practice of committees to adopt a motion at the beginning of a session or the beginning of a Parliament. That is usually done when the committee is finished with the draft report and goes through the motions for the adoption of it. If then one of the members or one of the parties signals that they have a dissenting or complementary opinion, it's done at that time.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Can I make a suggestion just for the sake of clarification? I know we've had this debate on one of the other committees I sit on. Could we set out right now just the assurance that any party would have the opportunity to make an additional minority report to any document as long as it was done within the 72 hours when that was tabled, if that would be—

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

My understanding is that it's procedure and it's understood that there can always be a minority report. It's usually an appendix put on after the signature of the chair of the committee. It's added after that.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Sure, and if we could just get the assurance—I don't know, maybe it's not the best thing to do through routine motions—that 72 hours would be allowed for that particular process to take place....

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

No, no, that's the way it's always been done before.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Perfect.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Diane Marleau

I don't see any problems with that.