Evidence of meeting #1 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Angela Crandall
Good morning, everyone.
I must inform members that the clerk of the committee is ready to receive motions for the election of chair, but that is all I can do. We cannot receive any motions or entertain any debate at this point.
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.
Conservative
Conservative
The Clerk
It has been moved by Mr. Cooper that Mr. Kmiec be elected as chair of the Committee.
Are there any other motions of nomination?
None being seen, is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
The Clerk
Good. I declare the motion carried and Mr. Tom Kmiec duly elected chair of the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Colleagues, thank you for your confidence in me.
Colleagues, thank you for letting me be the chair. I chaired the national Conservative caucus in the last Parliament, so going from 150 of them to the few of you will be delightful and, hopefully, much easier, so I thank you for that.
We have to elect vice-chairs now that we have a chair.
This is the first meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of November 25,, so members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Regarding the speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our very best to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members whether they are participating virtually or in person, so I'll try to catch everybody's attention.
I see that Mr. Fragiskatos has his hand up.
If you give me just one moment to read through this, I will recognize you.
I will take this opportunity to also remind all participants in this meeting that you can't take screen shots. You can't take photos or video during the meeting. Those are part of the members' privileges that are protected. The proceedings are available via the House of Commons website, so you can take screen caps there, and your staff can as well. You can do it there.
Given the ongoing pandemic situation and in light of the recommendations from public health authorities as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy of October 19 to remain healthy and safe, the following is recommended for all those attending meetings in person. Anyone with symptoms should participate by Zoom and not attend meetings in person. Everyone must maintain two metres of physical distancing whether seated or standing. Everyone must wear a non-medical mask when circulating in the room. It is recommended in the strongest possible terms that members wear their masks at all times, including when they are seated. Non-medical masks, which provide better clarity than cloth masks, are available in the room. Then we have all the proper hygiene that we all expect. We are all expected to wash our hands. For those who have children, you have probably told them a million times to wash their hands. I tell my kids to wash their hands. Please do that.
As chair, I'll be enforcing these measures for the duration of the meeting, and I thank you all for your cooperation.
We have some routine motions after the election of the vice-chairs.
I didn't forget, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Fragiskatos, you had your hand up before. Do you want to say something now?
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
Yes, Mr. Chair. I didn't mean to interrupt your notes to the committee. I was just so eager to congratulate you that I raised my hand.
In the spirit of what you just said, I'd like to nominate our vice-chair. I nominate Jean Yip to play that role.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Are there any other nominations?
None being seen, Madam Yip, you are elected vice-chair of the public accounts committee. Congratulations.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Jean Yip
Thank you very much. I look forward to working with all of you.
A special welcome to the new members of the committee and, of course, to some of the old members.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
We need a second vice-chair for this committee. Normally, that is a member from a party recognized by the House of Commons. So I need a nomination for the position of second vice-chair.
Mrs. Shanahan, go ahead.
Liberal
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
First off, I congratulate you and Ms. Yip.
I would like to nominate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné for the position of second vice–chair.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Are there any further motions?
(Motion adopted)
I declare the motion carried and Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Colleagues, we have routine motions that were distributed to all of you. Your chair is not allowed to move motions; therefore, I give it to the committee.
Ms. Bradford, please go ahead.
Liberal
Valerie Bradford Liberal Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
Congratulations, Mr. Chair, on your election, and to the vice-chairs as well. I look forward to working with all of you.
I'll proceed to read the motions.
The first motion is with respect to analyst services:
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.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Is there any debate on the motion?
Is the committee agreed?
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
Valerie Bradford Liberal Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON
The next motion deals with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five members; the Chair, one member from each recognized party; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.
