Evidence of meeting #1 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was subcommittee.
A video is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Vanessa Davies
Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.
I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, cannot entertain points of order nor 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.
Yes, Mr. Battiste.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
I would like to nominate Marc Garneau as our chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Battiste that Mr. Garneau be elected chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions? I am not seeing any.
(Motion agreed to)
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Garneau duly elected as chair of the committee.
I invite Mr. Garneau to take the chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you very much, Madam Clerk.
Thank you, everyone. I will do my best to fulfill my role as chair of this important committee.
If the committee is in agreement, I invite the clerk to proceed with the election of the vice-chairs.
The Clerk
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.
Yes, Mr. Battiste.
Liberal
The Clerk
Thank you.
It has been moved by Mr. Battiste that Mr. Schmale be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
The Clerk
Mr. Schmale is duly elected as 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.
Go ahead, Mr. Schmale.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
From where I'm sitting virtually, I saw Ms. Atwin's hand go up first, so I suggest that we hear from her.
Liberal
Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB
Mr. Chair, I nominate Marilène Gill to be second vice‑chair of the committee.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Ms. Atwin that Ms. Gill be elected as second vice-chair of the committee.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Colleagues, I have a few words before we move to the business of routine motions.
I would like to, first of all, welcome everyone to our first meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021.
Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Regarding the speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our very best to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether participating virtually or in person.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all participants to this meeting that screenshots or taking photos of your screen is not permitted.
The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website.
Given the ongoing pandemic and in light of the recommendations from public health authorities, as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on October 19, 2021, to remain healthy and safe, the following is recommended for all those attending the meeting in person.
First, anyone with symptoms should participate by Zoom and not attend the meeting in person.
Everyone must maintain two‑metre physical distancing, whether seated or standing.
Everyone must wear a non‑medical mask when moving about the room. It is strongly recommended that members wear their masks at all times, including when seated. Non‑medical masks that allow for better sound are available in the room.
Everyone present must maintain proper hand hygiene by using the hand sanitizer at the room entrance.
Committee rooms are cleaned before and after each meeting. To maintain this, everyone is encouraged to use the wipes provided to clean surfaces, such as the desk, chair and microphone when vacating or taking a seat.
As the chair, I will be enforcing these measures for the duration of the meeting, and I thank members in advance for their co‑operation.
Colleagues, I would suggest that as the next order of business the committee proceed to considering our routine motions. In preparation for this, the committee clerk has circulated a list of routine motions that the committee adopted in the last parliamentary session. The committee clerk is also able to answer any questions about the routine motions that you may have.
Mr. Weiler has his hand raised.
Liberal
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just want to propose a motion to adopt the routine motions that have been circulated through the clerk.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Mr. Weiler.
Are there any other comments from members? If you're there virtually, please raise your hand. I cannot see if somebody in the room is raising their hand, so I will depend on the clerk for that.
Mr. Schmale, I yield the floor to you.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Thank you, Chair.
My question is in regard to the subcommittee. When we come back, probably in February, I was wondering if it's possible to arrange for a subcommittee meeting as soon as possible, so that when we come back, the agenda—or at least our future studies—is already somewhat planned out, subject to approval of the committee. That way the clerks have ample time to arrange witnesses and we're able to have a direction taking us potentially right through spring and into June.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
I do agree that we should get a subcommittee, but I believe that we have to go through the routine motions first before we get into the discussion around the subcommittee. While I am in agreement with our learned vice-chair, it's my understanding that we have to go through the routine motions first.
I would ask the clerk to give me a sense of whether that is correct or not.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
I can confirm that for you, Mr. Battiste. Yes, we first have to adopt the routine motions, one of which includes the subcommittee on agenda and procedure.
Are there any comments concerning Mr. Weiler's proposed motion that we adopt the routine motions that were provided by the clerk?
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, if I may, are you seeking unanimous consent for the adoption of the routine motions?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
I wanted to see if anybody wanted to say anything. Otherwise, I will be looking for unanimous consent, yes.
I see no hands raised. Therefore, I would ask the committee for unanimous consent to adopt the routine motions that were presented by the clerk to each member before the meeting.
(Motions agreed to)