Evidence of meeting #1 for Official Languages in the 42nd 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.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Georges Etoka
Good afternoon, honourable members. I see a quorum.
I must inform members of the committee that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions. He 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.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
Good afternoon.
I move that my colleague the Honourable Denis Paradis be elected as chair.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Lefebvre that Mr. Paradis be elected as chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
I believe I understood that Mr. Bélanger is nominating Ms. Lapointe as chair of the committee.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Yes, madam, if you are not moving a motion.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
In fact, I would like to decline. I very much appreciate Mr. Bélanger's nomination, but I think that Mr. Paradis would do a very good job.
I sincerely thank Mr. Bélanger for his confidence in me.
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
3:40 p.m.
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and invite Mr. Paradis to take the chair.
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
First of all, thank you very much for your confidence in me. In my opinion, this is an extremely important House of Commons committee.
We had planned to elect only the chair, but with your agreement, we could immediately proceed to the election of the vice-chairs, so that the committee can start its work quickly.
Is everyone in agreement?
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Excellent.
We will now proceed to the election of the first vice-chair, who must be a member of the Conservative Party.
Are there any motions?
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I nominate my colleague Mr. John Nater, who is present here.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Généreux.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
I congratulate Mr. John Nater on his election as first vice-chair of the committee.
3:40 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
We will now proceed to the election of the second vice-chair, who must be a member of the NDP.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. John Nater moves that Mr. François Choquette be elected as second vice-chair.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
3:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
There are no further points on the agenda.
I will see to it at the Liaison Committee that we review the budget for our committee. If you are all in agreement, we could at some point meet in various regions of Canada. I want to mention, in particular, that Darrell Samson has invited us to come and eat lobster in Cape Breton. We could travel there. That would have to be reviewed and authorized by the Liaison Committee. The financial aspect has to be settled.
We will be working on some very important files, such as the 150th anniversary of Canada. I think that there will be a very collegial atmosphere among members of the committee and that working on it will be quite pleasant.
Thank you very much.
We will now deal with the routine motions that will allow the committee to operate.
The first motion reads as follows:
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.
Could someone move the motion?
