Evidence of meeting #1 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was subcommittee.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
The distribution of documents: that the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee only documents that are available in both official languages.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
I so move.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Working meals: that the clerk of the committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
I was explaining to a couple of new members that there are occasions when the time changes, so that right now our schedule is 3:30 to 5:30 Mondays and Wednesdays, unless other meetings are scheduled. There is the nine to eleven time slot, and then there is the eleven to one time slot. Obviously these meals would apply to the eleven to one time slot, when we get that one, or when we have special meetings held over a lunch hour. So that's what we'd be voting on here.
(Motion agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Witnesses' expenses: that, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two representatives per organization, and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.
Again, as we come up with a list of witnesses, depending on our subject, of course, we invite them here and this would simply cover their expenses.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Staff at in camera meetings: that unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
I want to be certain that when we speak of a staff person attending meetings, we also include here staff from the whip's office, not just Members' parliamentary assistants. I want assurances that even in the case of in camera meetings, “staff person” also includes a staff person in the whip's office.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
I think we always have. I don't see that as being a problem. Do you think that needs to be included? The clerk suggests we don't need to write that in; that's pretty much standard procedure.
(Motion agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Notice of motions: that the number of hours notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, and that the notice of motion be filed with the clerk of the committee and distributed to members in both official languages.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
Our standard, I think, was 24 hours. Again, I know in some committees it's much longer than that, but I think we've always found 24 hours was a pretty reasonable length of time.
(Motion agreed to)
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
In camera meetings transcripts: that one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the committee clerk's office for consultation by members of the committee.
3:55 p.m.
An hon. member
So moved.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bob Mills
On time limits for statements and questioning, again I will go back to the former committee and suggest that the witnesses were given ten minutes to make their statements. We then had the first round of questions by one member from each party for ten minutes. Then we had five minutes for all future questions.
Nathan.
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I don't know if this needs to be included in this part, but last time at committee there were times when we had five, six, or seven witnesses. At ten minutes apiece, with the limited time we had, we often ran out of time. I don't know if we need to include it in this motion or have it as a separate thing, but some accommodation for the chair, at the request of the committee or whatever process, to notify witnesses because of a large witness list--
3:55 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Give them some notice, because often witnesses would come with a ten-minute prep. We'd say we're running out of time and shorten their actual words, which was frustrating. Either we limit the number of witnesses we see, or we--