Justice Committee on Feb. 16th, 2016

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Michael MacPherson]

Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.

I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, cannot entertain points of order, nor participate in debate.

We can now proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the governing party. I'm ready to receive motions to that effect.

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to nominate Mr. Anthony Housefather for the position of chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Chris Bittle that Anthony Housefather be elected as chair of the committee. Are there any other nominations? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Anthony Housefather duly elected chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Clerk]

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition. I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Edmonton, AB]

I would like to nominate Ted Falk as first vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Michael Cooper that Ted Falk be elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Ted Falk duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Clerk]

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition. I'm now prepared to received motions for the second vice-chair.

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

I nominate Murray Rankin.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by the Honourable Rob Nicholson that Murray Rankin be elected as second vice-chair of the committee. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Murray Rankin the duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

First of all, I'd like to thank the members of the committee for having chosen me as chair. I look forward to working with each and every one of you and making sure that all of our voices are heard and included on this committee.

We're going to move to routine motions.

Mr. Fraser.

[Colin Fraser, Liberal, West Nova, NS]

I move:

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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much, Mr. Fraser.

Do I have a seconder for that motion?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

I'll second that motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you, Mr. Hussen.

Oh, we don't need seconders. I stand corrected.

We're going to pause for a second as we distribute to the committee copies of last year's motions, which we've all received, and the proposals for this year's motions.

If you want to speak in French, you can certainly do so.

We had a motion by Mr. Fraser relating to the use of analysts. Is everyone in favour of that motion? Not hearing any dissent, we will declare that motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Are there any other motions?

Mr. Bittle.

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Chair, I move:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs and two (2) Government members and that the quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three (3) members, including one member of the opposition.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much, Mr. Bittle.

Are there any questions or discussion on that motion? Not hearing any, is everyone in favour of that motion?

(Motion agreed to)

By the way, I'd like to invite the analysts who will be assisting the committee to come to the table. It's a real pleasure to receive you and welcome you.

I know that we will work very hard together.

Are there any other motions?

Mr. McKinnon.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Chair, I move:

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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much, Mr. McKinnon.

Are there any questions or comments on that motion? Not hearing any, is everyone in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

Are there other motions?

Mr. Hussen.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Chair, on distribution of documents, I move:

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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Are there any comments or discussion on that motion?

(Motion agreed to)

Are there other motions?

Ms. Khalid.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Chair, I move:

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.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Are there any comments or questions on that motion?

(Motion agreed to)

Mr. Fraser.