Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 6th, 2009

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Richard Dupuis]

Good morning.

I see a quorum. First, I will proceed with the election of the chair, who must be a government member. I am ready to receive motions to that effect.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

I'll nominate Gary Schellenberger to be the chair.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mr. Bruinooge that Mr. Schellenberger be elected as chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Clerk]

I declare Mr. Schellenberger duly elected chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Bravo.

[The Clerk]

I will now proceed with the election of the two vice-chairs. The first vice-chair must be a government member. I am ready to receive motions to that effect.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

The first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition.

[The Clerk]

I apologize. The first vice-chair must indeed be a member of the Official Opposition.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Thank you. I'd like to nominate Pablo Rodriguez.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mr. Simms that Mr. Rodriguez be elected first vice-chair of the committee.

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Clerk]

I declare Mr. Rodriguez duly elected as first vice-chair.

[Some hon. members]

Bravo.

[The Clerk]

I will now proceed with the election of the second vice-chair, who must be a government member.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

No, Clerk. Usually, the second vice-chair is a member of the second largest opposition party. That was the case during the last session.

[The Clerk]

Okay. I am now prepared to receive motions to that effect.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I nominate Ms. Carole Lavallée.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mr. Pomerleau that Ms. Lavallée be elected vice-chair of the committee.

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Clerk]

I declare Ms. Lavallée duly elected vice-chair of the committee.

[Some hon. members]

Bravo.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Thank you very much for that support. I lay awake all night worrying that I might not be chair. I guess the hospitality room did work.

Again, thank you very much for the support in electing me chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for this next round. I really do appreciate that. Congratulations to my vice-chairs for their election too.

As Charlie said, it's all downhill from here. I don't think so. I think we're going to make this committee work very well.

We'll move in camera to do our committee business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]