Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 1st, 2006

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Roger Préfontaine]

Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.

We can now proceed to the election of the chair.

I'm ready to receive nomination motions for the position of chair.

[Colin Mayes, Conservative, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I would like to nominate Maurice Vellacott for the chair.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mr. Mayes that Maurice Vellacott be elected chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

I'd like to nominate Mr. Mayes as chair.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by the honourable Anita Neville that Mr. Mayes be elected as chair of the committee.

[Colin Mayes, Conservative, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I would like to decline that nomination.

[The Clerk]

Am I to conclude that the motion is withdrawn?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

If he's not willing to run, I will, but I'll make another motion, Mr. Clerk.

I'd like to put forward Mr. Mark's name.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Madame Neville that Inky Mark be elected as chair of the committee.

[Inky Mark, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

I want to thank the honourable member for the honour of nominating me for that position, but at this time I have to decline the offer.

Thank you.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

I will not move any further motions, Mr. Clerk. Thank you.

[The Clerk]

Am I to conclude that the motion has been withdrawn?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Fine.

[The Clerk]

Are there any further motions?

There being no further motions, is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

To withdraw the names?

[The Clerk]

To adopt the motion that Mr. Vellacott be elected as chair of the committee.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Clerk, I'd like to request a recorded vote, please.

[The Clerk]

My colleague Jim Latimer, who is the procedural clerk, will proceed to a recorded division.

[James Latimer, Procedural Clerk]

It is moved by Mr. Mayes that Mr. Vellacott be elected chair of the committee.

(Motion agreed to: yeas 7; nays 5)

[The Clerk]

Now to the election of the vice-chairs. I am now ready to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

[James Latimer]

The first vice-chair is from the official opposition.

[The Clerk]

I'm ready to receive nominations for the position of first vice-chair, which according to the Standing Orders must be a member from the official opposition.

Ms. Neville.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Clerk, I'd like to nominate my colleague Ms. Karetak-Lindell.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Mrs. Neville that Madame Karetak-Lindell be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

Mr. Vellacott.

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

I think Ms. Karetak-Lindell would make an excellent choice--I served with her on the committee in the past--but I would also think there would be other members from the Liberals who could capably do the job, so I'd like to propose Mr. Gary Merasty, who I know has a lot of experience and involvement and has served well in our province. I would nominate him as the vice-chair for the committee.