Evidence of meeting #1 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was minutes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Julie Lalande Prud'homme
Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.
I must inform the members that the committee clerk can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot accept any other types of motions, entertain points of order or participate in debate.
We can now 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 chair.
Ms. James.
Conservative
The Clerk
It has been moved by Ms. James that Mr. Tilson be elected as 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. Tilson duly elected chair of the committee.
The Clerk
Before inviting Mr. Tilson to take the chair, if the committee wishes, we will now proceed to the election of 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 the first vice-chair.
Mr. Davies.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Davies that Ms. Sims be elected as first 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 Ms. Sims duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition. I am now prepared to receive motions for the second vice-chair.
Mr. Dykstra.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I move that Mr. Lamoureux be nominated as second vice-chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Dykstra that Mr. Lamoureux be elected as 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. Lamoureux duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to sit as chairman of this committee once again.
I think Mr. Dykstra and I are the remnants of the last committee, although Mr. Lamoureux and Mr. Davies have made guest appearances at the committee over the time we've sat. We have had some good issues. I know we will have more issues to deal with and I'm sure we will solve those issues.
The only item left on the agenda is procedural motions. I've been advised by Mr. Dykstra that he wishes to have the floor on this.
Proceed.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Chairman, first, congratulations on taking over as a second-term chair of this committee. We all appreciated.... Well, I guess I'm speaking on behalf of the former committee. I'm the only one who can attest to working with you on a regular basis as a very fair and cordial chair. So I appreciate having you back as well.
In terms of moving forward, do you just want me to make some recommendations on individual responsibilities of routine motions?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
We have to have rules as to how this committee runs. I suggest you proceed one at a time.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
Then I would move that the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist in its work.
NDP
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
On a point of order, do you not need a seconder for a motion in a committee?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
I need all the help I can get up here, and I'll count on you to help me. Thank you very much, but no, we don't.
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Dykstra.
Conservative
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I forgot that it is one of your rights and privileges and you do so on a regular basis, so I'm comfortable back here again.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Tilson
You see, that's what I'm in for.
This motion deals with analysts. They're somewhere in the room. There they are. We have Julie Bechard and Michel-Ange Pantal. Mr. Pantal is with the committee until July, when Sandra Elgersma will return. She's on maternity leave, so we'll have to have a party for her.
Thank you very much. Welcome to the committee and we look forward to your assistance.
Mr. Dykstra.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I would move that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be established and be composed of five members, including the chair, the two vice-chairs, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the parliamentary secretary for multiculturalism; that the quorum of this subcommittee shall consist of three members; that each member of the subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meeting of the subcommittee; and that each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House officer attend any meeting as well.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
I believe I had indicated this to Mr. Dykstra, but what we, the official opposition, have done is we have split the opposition critic from the vice-chair, so it will be the official opposition critic who will be sitting on the subcommittee. Therefore I would propose a friendly amendment: that instead of saying the two vice-chairs, we say one member from the official opposition and you could either say one from the Liberal Party or the third party vice-chair, as you see fit. But it will be the critic sitting on the steering committee from the official opposition.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
That's fine. I accept the amendment of Mr. Davies. He did indicate that to me, and I apologize for not including it in this motion.
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
