Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Mrs. Isabelle Dumas
Good morning everyone. I see a quorum.
We may now proceed to the election of chair.
I must inform the Members that the Clerk of the Committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. I cannot receive any other types of motions. I cannot entertain points of order and I cannot participate in debate.
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party.
I am ready to receive motions for the election of the chair.
Mrs. Boucher.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I move that Mr. Steven Blaney be chair of the Committee.
The Clerk
Mrs. Boucher has nominated Mr. Blaney for chair of the Committee.
Are there any further motions to that effect?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Blaney duly elected chair of the Committee.
If the Committee is agreed, we will now proceed to the election of vice-chairs.
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition.
I am ready to receive motions to that effect.
Mr. Blaney.
The Clerk
Mr. Blaney has moved that Mr. Bélanger be elected first vice-chair of the Committee.
Are there any further motions to that effect?
Is it the pleasure of the Committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Mr. Bélanger duly elected 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. Are there any motions to that effect?
Mr. Nadeau.
The Clerk
Mr. Nadeau has moved that Mr. Godin be elected second vice-chair of the Committee.
Are there any further motions to that effect?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Mr. Godin duly elected second vice-chair of the Committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Good morning everyone.
I would like to thank you for the renewed confidence.
Our second vice-chair would like to raise a point of order.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
This is a point of order or a request for information. This election should have been held openly, but we are in camera instead.
[Editor's Note: Technical difficulties]
The Clerk
You are right, I should have checked beforehand. Was the sitting supposed to be open? I am sorry, it should have been done differently.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I suggest that we move to an open sitting, and that you announce the results of the voting, since the results should be public.
Liberal
The Clerk
I am sorry, the sitting should have been open. Still, our representatives were present.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I understand, but for the record, the sitting should have been open.
Conservative
The Clerk
Would like me to repeat them? Very well.
Mr. Steven Blaney was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages. Mr. Mauril Bélanger was elected first Vice-Chair and Mr. Yvon Godin was elected second Vice-Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
First of all, I would like to inform you of a decision made by the House of Commons on March 3, 2010. The House adopted the following order:
That, for all standing committees, routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session be deemed to have been adopted in the current session, provided that committees be empowered to alter or rescind such motions as they deem appropriate.
Accordingly, the routine motions that were in effect at the time of prorogation are reinstated. The Clerk will reflect the House Order in the minutes of this meeting. The Committee can, if it chooses, amend any of these motions. Normally, everyone should have a copy. You should have been given a copy of the routine motions adopted by the Standing Committee on Official Languages, including two motions adopted in committee on the broadcasting of specific meetings related to the appearances of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and the Commissioner of Official Languages, as well as an additional motion on diverging or alternative opinions, if a report is drafted.
Go ahead, Mr. Godin.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Chair, as you know, I am the NDP whip and I sit on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. I would like us to get back on track right away and not lose time because of prorogation. I suggest that the routine motions be reinstated as they were before prorogation and that we move forward.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
That is a good idea, as we could avoid having to adopt a set of routine motions that we had already adopted in the fall.
If you like, I could give you a quick reminder. At our last meeting, the committee drew up a schedule for the 2010 spring session. At the time, we asked the clerk to prepare a list of subjects that could be considered by the members of the committee and a list of potential witnesses. Therefore, I would like Isabelle to distribute the list.
Mr. Bélanger would like to speak. Mr. Vice-Chair, you have the floor.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First, I would like to give notice of motion.
Then, I would like to make a suggestion to the committee. I move that on Thursday we prepare a work schedule for the coming weeks, or the coming months, so that we can take note of what has already been done, since we have several new members. As there is no subcommittee, I move that we use the Thursday meeting to draft an agenda.
I would like to make a few suggestions. I am particularly concerned by the Air Canada issue. There is also the act that was initiated by both the former and current governments, but that will not be reviewed any further. I would like us to spend some time on that matter.
Getting back to the notice of motion, Mr. Chair, it suggests:
That the Minister of Canadian Heritage provide the Committee with a bilingual copy of the Contribution Agreement given to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), in which the federal government stated its expectations for the Games' opening and closing ceremonies by March 18, 2010.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you, Mr. Bélanger.
We acknowledge the notice of motion. We can discuss it at the next meeting.
At our last meeting, it was moved that once we resume sitting in the new session of Parliament, we should meet with the representative of federal support for francophone media, Mr. Potié. The committee has the opportunity to prepare its work plan for the coming weeks, but it goes without saying that next Thursday is not very far off.
Madam Clerk, would it be possible to accommodate a witness such as Mr. Potié this Thursday, as we had hoped?
The Clerk
I will start working on this today. I sent Mr. Potié an e-mail to ask him if he was still prepared to meet with the committee, as planned, but I have still not received a reply. I will try to summon him for Thursday, if the committee agrees.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
So we are going to check Mr. Potié's availability for this Thursday. That will allow us to start the work of the committee.
Mr. D'Amours.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I would like to clarify one point. Under Mr. Potié's name, it says “Association de la presse francophone”, and below it, “Radios communautaires”. Does Mr. Potié represent both groups, or are they two separate groups?
Actually, if we have to organize a meeting, let us meet with everyone. We are not going to meet with Mr. Potié at one time and with community radio at another time. At some stage, we will have to bring them together.
