Evidence of meeting #1 for Library of Parliament in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreed.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Joint Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Adam Thompson
Michael Duffy  Senator, Prince Edward Island (Cavendish), ISG
Michael Levitt  York Centre, Lib.
Joint Chair  Mr. Gagan Sikand
Guy Lauzon  Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, CPC
Robert-Falcon Ouellette  Winnipeg Centre, Lib.
Terry M. Mercer  Senator, Nova Scotia (Northend Halifax), L
Colin Carrie  Oshawa, CPC
Dave Van Kesteren  Chatham-Kent—Leamington, CPC
Anne Minh-Thu Quach  Salaberry—Suroît, NDP
Borys Wrzesnewskyj  Etobicoke Centre, Lib.

12:15 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

On time for opening remarks and questioning of witnesses, it states:

That witnesses appearing before the Committee be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement and that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be five (5) minutes.

12:15 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

All right. Just a moment, please.

We have to have a motion for every motion.

12:15 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

12:15 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

Yes, we need a vote on every motion.

We'll go back to the analysts services. Is there any debate on that motion? If not, are there questions?

(Motion agreed to)

The next motion is on time for opening remarks and questioning of witnesses.

(Motion agreed to)

The next one is on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

Madam Chair, given the current status in the Senate, I'm wondering if we can defer this motion.

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

Do we agree?

12:20 p.m.

A voice

Agreed.

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

All right. Thank you. We will defer it.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

The next motion is on meeting without a quorum. It states:

That the quorum be fixed at six (6) members, provided that each House is represented, and that a (1) member from a non-government party or recognized parliamentary group and that a (1) member from the government are present whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken; and that the Joint Chairs be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member from a non-government party or recognized parliamentary group and a member from the government, and provided that each House is represented.

(Motion agreed to)

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

The next one is on documents distribution.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

The motion states:

That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

(Motion agreed to)

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

Next is a motion to publish the committee's proceedings.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

It states:

That the Committee publish its proceedings and that in camera proceedings not be published

(Motion agreed to)

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

The next one is on travel.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

The motion states:

That, at the discretion of the Joint Chairs, the Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses including child care and/or personal attendant care for one (1) witness from any one organization and that payment will take place upon application, but that the Joint Chairs be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.

(Motion agreed to)

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

The next motion is on working meals.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

It states:

That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

(Motion agreed to)

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

Next is access to in camera meetings.

12:20 p.m.

York Centre, Lib.

Michael Levitt

The motion states:

That each member of the Committee be allowed to have a staff member present at in camera meeting, in addition each party or recognized parliamentary group be permitted to have one (1) staff member from the Whip's office present.

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

Is there debate?

Yes, sir.

12:20 p.m.

Colin Carrie Oshawa, CPC

I do have a question regarding “recognized parliamentary group”. What falls into that? Do you have an example?

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

I know what falls out of it, and that's the ISG, the Independent Senators Group.

12:20 p.m.

Oshawa, CPC

Colin Carrie

Is it not included in here?

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Chair Hon. Lucie Moncion

It's not a recognized group.

I might be mistaken here. My colleagues might correct me.

12:20 p.m.

The Joint Clerk Mr. Adam Thompson

Senators and members, I'll just clarify this. With the formation of the Independent Senators Group in the Senate, which does not function as a party, the term “recognized parliamentary group” was added to our rules. It refers, in the Senate context specifically, to the Independent Senators Group.