Evidence of meeting #1 for Public Accounts in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Caroline Massicotte
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 official opposition. I am ready to receive motions for the chair.
9 a.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC
Madam Clerk, I would like to nominate Kevin Sorenson for chair of the committee.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Ms. Mendès that Mr. Sorenson be elected as chair of the committee. Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
9 a.m.
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Sorenson duly elected chair of the committee.
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
9 a.m.
The Clerk
I invite Mr. Sorenson to take the chair.
9 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you very much for that. I will also pay recognition to Mr. Christopherson who was the former chair of this committee. I appreciate his involvement here and will be looking to him, I am certain, for a lot of input to this committee since he has good experience here.
I think the best thing now is to move to the election of the vice-chair.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the government party.
I am now ready to receive motions for the position of vice-chair.
9 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Madam Clerk, I would like to nominate Alexandra Mendès for first vice-chair.
9 a.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Godin has moved that Mrs. Mendès be elected first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
9 a.m.
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mrs. Mendès duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
9 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
9 a.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.
9 a.m.
Liberal
9 a.m.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Ms. Mendès that Mr. Christopherson be elected as second vice-chair of the committee.
(Motion agreed to)
9:05 a.m.
The Clerk
I declare the motion carried and Mr. Christopherson duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
9:05 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We'll carry on. Today's meeting will be very short, but we do have some housekeeping motions called routine motions that we want to pass.
The first motion is 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.
We have Édison Roy-César and Dillan Theckedath here, who observed in their capacity from the Library of Parliament before. Could we have someone move that motion?
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The second motion deals with reduced quorum. I'll read the motion:
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 four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition.
On occasion, sometimes especially with morning meetings, it's important to start on time. Most of the public accounts meetings will be televised, and this allows us to begin hearing the evidence from the witness if the complete quorum is not here.
Will somebody move that motion?
9:05 a.m.
An hon. member
Could we hear that motion again, please, Chair?
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes. It reads:
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 four (4) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition.
It is the standard procedure.
Mr. Sidhu?
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC
Can we move a motion on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure?
