Evidence of meeting #1 for Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was steering.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Mrs. Carmen DePape
Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.
We can now proceed with the election of the chair. I'm ready to receive motions to that effect.
Mr. Hawn.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Hawn that Kevin Sorenson be elected chair of the committee.
Are there further motions?
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Kevin Sorenson duly elected chair of the committee.
If the committee wishes, we'll proceed with the election of a vice-chair before inviting the chair to come forward.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Dosanjh that Mr. Wilfert be elected vice-chair of the committee.
Are there further motions?
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Wilfert the duly elected vice-chair of the committee.
I invite Mr. Sorenson to take the chair.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Good morning.
Thank you for your vote of confidence in the chair. We hope that will continue throughout the duration of this committee and this Parliament.
It is a pleasure to be part of the Afghanistan committee. I think we all understand the importance of this committee. Like most committees in the House, we want to make certain that our work is substantive and that we have some good accomplishments here in our committee.
This is the first meeting of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan, on Thursday, March 11, 2010.
Our orders of the day were the election of the chair and the vice-chair. My understanding is that this was the reason this meeting was called today, so unless there are any other motions, we will...
Have we had any indication yet for certain as to the day this committee will be meeting?
9 a.m.
The Clerk
No. It's the committee that decides.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
So I would encourage each one of you to come with a motion. Maybe discuss it among colleagues and try to find a time that is most beneficial. I know you've done this before.
Before we get into anything else, if we're going to move into routine motions, we need a motion to do that. My understanding is that we aren't going to go through with a lot of committee business today, but we have to start deciding on what day, witness lists, and things like that.
Mr. Hawn.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Last time, it seems to me that Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 worked for everybody. I would suggest that we continue with that.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
At that time, then, do you want to adopt the routine motions? Would that be all right?
9 a.m.
An hon. member
Okay.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
With respect to routine motions, I would move that we simply adopt the routine motions that we had last time. They seemed to work.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. So we will do that at the next meeting, which will be held...
9 a.m.
An hon. member
We could adopt the routine motions now.
9:05 a.m.
The Clerk
We could adopt the motions and the time of the meeting. That's fine.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Laurie Hawn Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
I move that we adopt the existing routine motions from the last session.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
You don't need a copy? Everyone has that and you're happy with that? It's all good?
9:05 a.m.
An hon. member
Yes.
9:05 a.m.
The Clerk
No.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All in favour of adopting the routine motions, as of the last committee, and the time?
(Motion agreed to)
That's done.
We have a few more hands in the air here.
Mr. Wilfert is first.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Chairman, I would respectfully suggest that we should strike a steering committee and that the steering committee meet prior to our next meeting on Wednesday. If Monday would be available, I think it would be helpful for the steering committee. I've had discussions with Mr. Hawn with regard to looking at an agenda for the future.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The steering committee has already been struck because it's part of the routine motions.
