Canada-China Relations Committee on Sept. 23rd, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken Hardie]

I call the meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 46 of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship.

I'll remind everybody of the guidelines with respect to headphones. Keep them away from the microphone so that we don't injure our interpreters.

Of course, we're meeting in a hybrid format. I think the only one on the screen from the membership side is Nate Erskine-Smith. He'll drop in, I'm sure, as the need arises.

You all know the rules, so we don't need to go through those.

Some introductions are in order. There are two groups. The first one, which is the top priority, is to introduce our new clerk, Danielle Widmer.

For the second group, it's nice to have Mr. Villemure join us for the Bloc, and Mr. Louis on the Liberal side.

Mr. Fast, are you here permanently, or are you filling in for somebody?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I'm filling in.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken Hardie]

Who are you filling in for?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Damien.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken Hardie]

All right.

We're going to start today in a public session and deal with a matter of great importance off the top. We'll then go in camera to study a draft report, which you're probably all aware of.

The order of business that we have to take care of in the public session is to get a vice-chair from the Bloc Québécois. I anticipate a very spirited campaign.

I see Mr. Chong.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Chair, I move that Mr. Villemure be appointed vice-chair of this committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken Hardie]

Very good. We will now turn the proceedings over to the clerk to make it all official.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Danielle Widmer]

Pursuant to the order adopted by the House on May 16, 2022, the committee has a vice-chair from each recognized party.

It has been moved by Mr. Chong and Ms. Yip that René Villemure be elected the first vice-chair.

Are there any further motions?

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Clerk]

I declare the motion carried and Mr. Villemure duly elected vice-chair of the committee.

[René Villemure, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken Hardie]

Thank you. Very good.

For the folks watching at home, that's the end of the public session. We hope you enjoyed it. We're going to take a break now and go in camera to discuss the draft of a report.

[Proceedings continue in camera]