Evidence of meeting #1 for Status of Women 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Danielle Bélisle

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Danielle Bélisle

Members of the Committee, as I can see that quorum is present, your first order of business is to elect a chair.

Are there any motions to that effect?

Do I have motions for a chair? In this committee the chair has to be from the official opposition.

Madam Neville.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

I nominate Madam Fry.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Are there any other nominations?

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Alice Wong Conservative Richmond, BC

I second the motion.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Okay.

As there are no other nominations, I declare Ms. Fry duly elected chair.

The Committee also needs to elect two vice-chairs. The first vice-chair shall be a member of the government party.

The first vice-chair has to be from the government party. Do I have any motions to that effect?

Madame Boucher.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

I move that Ms. Cathy McLeod be vice-chair.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Are there any other motions to that effect?

As there are no other motions,

I declare Mrs. McLeod duly elected the first vice-chair of the committee.

The second vice-chair is from an opposition party other than the official opposition. Do I have a motion to that effect?

Madame Demers.

3:35 p.m.

Bloc

Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC

I nominate Ms. Irene Mathyssen.

3:35 p.m.

The Clerk

Are there any other nominations?

It is seconded.

I declare Ms. Mathyssen the second vice-chair of this committee.

I have done what I have to do. I am passing it on to the real chair.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Thank you very much.

We have three motions to deal with. The first is a notice of motion from Anita Neville that the committee request that the Minister of State for the Status of Women appear before the committee before March 26, 2010, on the subject of the supplementary estimates.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

I would like to move an amendment. It has been confirmed that March 18th is now the deadline for committee consideration of Supplementary Estimates and for submission of the report to the House.

I have a motion to put forward.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Anita, does that satisfy your motion?

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

To change the date?

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Yes, before March 26; she said March 18.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

That's fine, whatever works.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

[Editor's note: Inaudible]. I have an amendment...

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Good. That was just a piece of information, but we need to vote on the motion, with the friendly amendment.

(Motion agreed to)

The next one from Anita Neville is that the committee request that Suzanne Clément, Coordinator, Head of the Agency, Status of Women Canada, appear before the committee at the earliest opportunity.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

I have an amendment to move to this effect. May I proceed?

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Yes, go ahead.

3:40 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

I move that the Committee invites the Minister of State for the Status of Women Canada to appear before it earlier than March 18th, 2010, on the subject of the Supplementary Estimates process. I also move that the Committee ask Suzanne Clément, Coordinator, Head of Agency for Status of Women Canada, to appear before it at the same time, that is, on the same day.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Ms. Neville.

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

I have a question for the parliamentary secretary, for clarification, Madam Chair.

As a committee, we have the authority, for lack of a better word, to invite a senior member of a department, in this case an agency, to appear before the committee to talk about their experience, background, viewpoint. I don't know whether the parliamentary secretary is asking for Suzanne Clément to appear as part of the estimates process. Is it separate and apart from the estimates process, to talk to her about her role in the agency?

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

So you don't believe this is a friendly amendment?

3:40 p.m.

A voice

[Inaudible--Editor]

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Okay.

Madame Demers has a similar one, does she?

I'm sorry, Nicole. I didn't see your hand up.