Evidence of meeting #1 for National Defence in the 43rd 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Michael MacPherson
Katherine Simonds  Committee Researcher
Marie Dumont  Committee Researcher
Evelyn Lukyniuk  Committee Clerk

3:30 p.m.

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 receive motions only for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive 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.

Mr. Spengemann.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Clerk, I would like to nominate Madam Karen McCrimmon for chair.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Spengemann that Karen McCrimmon be elected chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Karen McCrimmon duly elected chair of the committee.

3:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

Thank you very much. It is a great honour to be here with you today.

I feel that it is very important for us to work together in order to serve Canadians.

I'd like to thank our clerk in advance. I know that these are always very challenging, very rewarding jobs.

Is it the pleasure of the committee to proceed with vice-chairs?

February 24th, 2020 / 3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

For vice-chair, I'd like to nominate James Bezan from the official opposition.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition.

It has been moved by Ms. Cheryl Gallant that Mr. James Bezan be elected first vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Mr. James Bezan duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

3:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:30 p.m.

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 am now prepared to receive motions for the second vice-chair.

Mr. Baker.

3:30 p.m.

Liberal

Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON

I would like to propose Michel Boudrias as the second vice-chair.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Baker that Mr. Boudrias be elected second vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

Ms. Gallant.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

I'd like to move that Randall Garrison be the second vice-chair of the committee.

3:30 p.m.

The Clerk

Seeing that more than one candidate has been nominated, pursuant to Standing Order 106(3) I am required to preside over the election of the second vice-chair by secret ballot.

We have a motion by Ms. Gallant that Monsieur Randall Garrison be second vice-chair. It has been moved by Mr. Baker that Monsieur Michel Boudrias be elected second vice-chair.

Are there any further motions?

Before proceeding, I will briefly explain the process. My colleague, who is a procedural clerk at the House of Commons, will distribute a ballot to each member of the committee. You have to clearly indicate your choice by printing the first and last names of the candidate on the ballot and depositing it into the box. We will then count the votes and announce the name of the successful candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, another ballot will have to be conducted in the same manner.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

I declare Michel Boudrias to have received the majority of the votes.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

Thank you.

It's my pleasure to welcome the vice-chairs. I look forward to working together.

Is it the pleasure of the committee to now proceed to routine motions?

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB

Yes, please.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

Mr. Spengemann.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON

Thank you, Madam Chair. My congratulations on your election.

It's my pleasure to take the committee through the customary routine motions. I will read them, unless there is an objection. Some of them are somewhat lengthy, but we'll just go through them one at a time.

Madam Chair, the first motion is on the analysts.

The motion is:

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.

(Motion agreed to)

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

I'd like to invite the analysts to take their places at the table, please.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

Could I ask you to introduce yourselves to the committee, please?

3:35 p.m.

Katherine Simonds Committee Researcher

Good afternoon. My name is Katherine Simonds. I've assisted the House national defence committee, as well as the NATO parliamentary association, for the past few years. I am here today only to replace Martin Auger, who will be supporting the committee throughout the rest of the year.

3:35 p.m.

Marie Dumont Committee Researcher

My name is Marie Dumont. I have worked with the Library of Parliament for more than two years.

I am very happy to work with you and also with Martin Auger.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karen McCrimmon

Thank you very much.

Mr. Spengemann, would you please continue with the routine motions?