Evidence of meeting #1 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 1st 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. Andrew Lauzon

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Andrew Lauzon

Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.

My name is Andrew Lauzon. I'm the clerk of the committee. I will be presiding over the election of the chair.

We can proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party. I am ready to receive motions for the position of chair.

Mr. McGuinty.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Mr. Clerk, in his absence, in absentia, I'd like to nominate Mr. Leon Benoit as chair of the committee.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. McGuinty that Mr. Benoit be elected chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

I declare the motion carried and Leon Benoit duly elected chair of the committee.

Before inviting Mr. Benoit to take the chair, if the committee wishes we will now proceed to the election of the vice-chairs. 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 first vice-chair.

Mr. Aspin.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Jay Aspin Conservative Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON

I nominate Claude Gravelle.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Mr. Gravelle, also in absentia. It has been moved by Mr. Aspin that Claude Gravelle be elected first vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

I declare the motion carried and Claude Gravelle duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

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 party.

I am now ready to receive a motion for the election of the second vice-chair.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB

Given that Mr. McGuinty officially invited me back to Ottawa, I would like to officially nominate Mr. McGuinty for vice-chair.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mike Allen that David McGuinty be elected 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 Mr. McGuinty duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

I now invite Mr. McGuinty to take the chair.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal David McGuinty

Colleagues, in the absence of our chair and first vice-chair, I'm open to your good guidance and suggestions in terms of how to proceed today.

Mr. Calkins.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Wetaskiwin, AB

Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chair. It's good to see you earning your pay already.

Given the circumstance that we have so many absences here, I think it would be best if I simply make a motion to adjourn. We will convene and do routine motions once the official members of the committee are here.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal David McGuinty

Mr. Anderson.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK

Only to clarify that the next meeting will be at the call of the chair. Is that correct?

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal David McGuinty

That is correct, I'm informed by the clerk.

Are there any other comments or questions? Are we all agreed that we adjourn this meeting until the next meeting is called by our chair, Mr. Benoit?

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Blaine Calkins Conservative Wetaskiwin, AB

For the record, you can't debate a motion to adjourn.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal David McGuinty

Not debated.

The meeting is adjourned. Thanks very much.