Evidence of meeting #1 for Justice and Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Michael MacPherson
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 governing party. I'm ready to receive motions to that effect.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Chair, I'd like to nominate Mr. Anthony Housefather for the position of chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Chris Bittle that Anthony Housefather be elected as chair of the committee. Are there any other nominations? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Anthony Housefather duly elected chair of the committee.
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.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
I would like to nominate Ted Falk as first vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Michael Cooper that Ted Falk be elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Ted Falk duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
The Clerk
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition. I'm now prepared to received motions for the second vice-chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by the Honourable Rob Nicholson that Murray Rankin 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 Murray Rankin the duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
First of all, I'd like to thank the members of the committee for having chosen me as chair. I look forward to working with each and every one of you and making sure that all of our voices are heard and included on this committee.
We're going to move to routine motions.
Mr. Fraser.
Liberal
Colin Fraser Liberal West Nova, NS
I 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 it in its work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Thank you very much, Mr. Fraser.
Do I have a seconder for that motion?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Thank you, Mr. Hussen.
Oh, we don't need seconders. I stand corrected.
We're going to pause for a second as we distribute to the committee copies of last year's motions, which we've all received, and the proposals for this year's motions.
If you want to speak in French, you can certainly do so.
We had a motion by Mr. Fraser relating to the use of analysts. Is everyone in favour of that motion? Not hearing any dissent, we will declare that motion carried.
(Motion agreed to)
Are there any other motions?
Mr. Bittle.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Chair, I move:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs and two (2) Government members and that the quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three (3) members, including one member of the opposition.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Thank you very much, Mr. Bittle.
Are there any questions or discussion on that motion? Not hearing any, is everyone in favour of that motion?
(Motion agreed to)
By the way, I'd like to invite the analysts who will be assisting the committee to come to the table. It's a real pleasure to receive you and welcome you.
I know that we will work very hard together.
Are there any other motions?
Mr. McKinnon.
Liberal
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Chair, I move:
That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Thank you very much, Mr. McKinnon.
Are there any questions or comments on that motion? Not hearing any, is everyone in favour?
(Motion agreed to)
Are there other motions?
Mr. Hussen.
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, on distribution of documents, I move:
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any comments or discussion on that motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Are there other motions?
Ms. Khalid.
Liberal
Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON
Mr. Chair, I move:
That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any comments or questions on that motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Fraser.
Liberal
Colin Fraser Liberal West Nova, NS
Mr. Chair, I move:
That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
It's a very important motion. A good committee is always well fed. We'll be sure to check everybody's preferences so that they get the food they want.
(Motion agreed to)
Are there other motions?
Mr. Bittle.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Chair, I move:
That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member in attendance be allowed to have one (1) staff member attend in camera meetings; in addition, each party be allowed to have one (1) staff member from its Whip or House Leader’s Office attend in camera meetings.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any comments or questions on that motion? Not hearing any, all those in favour?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Hussen.
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, on in camera meeting transcripts, I move:
That one (1) copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk's office for consultation by members of the Committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any comments or questions on that motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. McKinnon.
Liberal
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Chair, I move:
That when a Private Members' Bill is referred to the Committee, it be placed on the Agenda and that its sponsor be invited to appear before the Committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any questions or comments?
(Motion agreed to)
Mr. Bittle.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Mr. Chair, I move:
That forty-eight hours ( 48) 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; and that completed motions received by the Clerk of the Committee by 5:00 p.m. be distributed to the members the same day.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any questions or comments on that motion?
Mr. Rankin, are you good with that?
Liberal
Colin Fraser Liberal West Nova, NS
Mr. Chair, I move, regarding the questioning of witnesses:
That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: for the first round of questioning, six (6) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Conservative, Liberal, New Democratic Party, Liberal; for the second round, six (6) minutes be allocated in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Liberal; followed by five (5) minutes for the Conservatives and three (3) minutes for the New Democratic Party.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Are there any questions or comments on that motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Do I have any further motions to entertain?
I would suggest to the members that the subcommittee be struck to set the agenda for this committee and that it include Mr. Falk, Mr. Rankin, the chair, and two members of the government side. The subcommittee would meet at this time on Thursday to work out the agenda of the committee going forward. We will then be in touch with all the members of the committee, and certainly from each side we will solicit the views of the members of the committee as to the agenda. I'll personally try to meet with and be in touch with every member of the committee to hear their thoughts and suggestions.
If it's okay with all those members we will meet at this time on Thursday morning, and then presumably the committee will meet again next Tuesday. Is that okay with everyone?
Thank you very much. I don't believe there's anything further on our agenda.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Housefather
Thank you very much, Mr. Fraser.
(Motion agreed to)
I look forward to working with all of you.
The meeting is adjourned.
