Evidence of meeting #1 for Science and Research in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Leif-Erik Aune
Thai Nguyen  Committee Researcher

6:35 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Leif-Erik Aune

I see a quorum.

Honourable members of the committee, I must inform the members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. I may not receive other types of motions, nor entertain points of order, nor participate in any debate.

We may 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'm ready to receive motions for the chair.

I see Mr. McKinnon.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

I nominate the Honourable Kirsty Duncan.

6:35 p.m.

The Clerk

It is moved by Mr. McKinnon that the Honourable Kirsty Duncan be elected as chair of the committee.

Are there other nominations?

Seeing none, I declare Ms. Duncan duly elected chair of the committee.

6:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Thank you, dear colleagues.

Thank you for placing your trust in me. I will work hard to live up to your expectations.

Dear colleagues, let me begin by saying congratulations to those who are re-elected, and give a special welcome to those who are newly elected to the Hill.

Just before we go to the vice-chair elections, I'd like to say that this is a historic moment. You are the inaugural members of the science and research standing committee. Congratulations. Thank you for the interest.

Very briefly, I put forward a motion last Parliament to form a science and research committee and to give permanence and a seat at the table in Ottawa. It was really exciting. We had all-party support for that. I think we have a real opportunity to shine a light on science and research. These are fundamental building blocks of our country. I think we can explore the opportunities and the challenges.

Colleagues, our next point of business is to elect two vice-chairs.

I will pass this to our clerk, please.

6:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Thank you.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the official opposition. I'm now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

I see Mr. Lake.

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB

I nominate Corey Tochor.

6:35 p.m.

The Clerk

It's moved by Mr. Lake that Mr. Tochor be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.

Are there other motions?

Seeing none, I declare Mr. Tochor duly elected as the committee's first vice-chair.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition. I'm now prepared to receive motions for the second vice-chair.

Ms. Diab, go ahead.

6:35 p.m.

Liberal

Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS

Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk.

I nominate Maxime Blanchette‑Joncas.

6:35 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

I would be honoured. Thank you.

6:35 p.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Ms. Metlege Diab that Mr. Blanchette‑Joncas be elected as second vice-chair of the committee.

Are there any other nominations?

Seeing none, I declare Mr. Blanchette-Joncas duly elected as second vice-chair.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Go ahead, Monsieur Lauzon.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC

I just wanted to make sure that the clerk checked the “raise hand” on the computer. I had my hand raised to propose and he didn't see me, so we had somebody else in the room do it.

6:40 p.m.

The Clerk

My apologies, Mr. Lauzon. I didn't see that your hand was up.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC

Okay. In this process, it's very important.

I was actually going to nominate Mr. Blanchette‑Joncas, but I think it's all sorted out now, given that he was elected.

6:40 p.m.

The Clerk

Once again, I apologize.

Thank you.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC

All right.

Thank you.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Thank you.

I congratulate our new vice-chairs.

6:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Colleagues, our next point of business is to go through a set of routine motions that committees customarily adopt as they start their work.

I'll hand this over to Mr. McKinnon, who will read the first motion.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The first routine motion concerns analyst services. I move:

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.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Colleagues, the motion is before you. Is there any discussion on the motion?

Seeing none, we've approved the motion.

Can we go to the second motion, Mr. McKinnon?

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC

Actually, we need to vote on the motion first.

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kirsty Duncan

Yes. This is all new, folks.

Is the motion approved, or would you like a vote?