Status of Women Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2014

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Julie Geoffrion]

Honourable members of the committee, I see we have quorum.

I must inform the members of the committee that the clerk of the committee may only receive motions pertaining to the election of the chair. The clerk may not receive any other motions, may not hear points of order, nor participate in 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 official opposition. I am now ready to receive motions for the position of chairman.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Madam Clerk, is that new? The chair is normally not from the government party on this committee.

[The Clerk]

No, I said official opposition.

I'm ready to receive motions for the chair.

[Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Conservative, Miramichi, NB]

I nominate Hélène LeBlanc.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Ms. O'Neill Gordon that Ms. LeBlanc be elected chair of the committee.

Are there any other motions?

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Clerk]

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried, and Ms. Hélène LeBlanc duly elected chair of the committee.

Before inviting Ms. LeBlanc to take the chair, if the committee wishes, we will now proceed to the election of the vice-chairs.

Pursuant to standing 106(2) the first vice-chair must be a member of the government party. I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

Madame Sellah.

[Djaouida Sellah, NDP, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I nominate Ms. O'Neill Gordon as vice-chair.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Ms. Sellah that Ms. O'Neill Gordon be elected as first vice-chair of the committee. Are there any further motions?

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Clerk]

I declare the motion carried and Ms. O'Neill Gordon duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.

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 a motion for the second vice-chair.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I'm assuming that Kirsty is still on our committee so I would like to nominate Kirsty Duncan as the second vice-chair.

[The Clerk]

It has been moved by Ms. Truppe that Ms. Duncan be elected as second vice-chair of the committee. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Clerk]

I declare the motion carried and Ms. Duncan duly elected second vice-chair of the committee in absentia.

I now invite Ms. LeBlanc to take the chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Hélène LeBlanc]

Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to congratulate the first vice-chair, Ms. O'Neill Gordon, again, as well as the second vice-chair, Ms. Duncan.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year as well as a Happy Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Horse. I'm sure that in 2014, the committee will continue the good work it began in 2013. I am sure that we are going to do good work together. And without further ado, we can continue our meeting.

If you are in agreement, during this meeting we could discuss the business of the committee so that next Wednesday we can resume our study on eating disorders.

As you know, the report on sexual harassment could not be tabled last December. I would like to inform you that this will be done according to procedure.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Sorry I think I was going to do that on my list, Madam Chair. Last time we made a motion to bring back the report so that you could table it.

Madam Clerk, does it require a motion again?

[The Clerk]

We don't need a motion.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Okay, great. I know you were going to table it on the day the House rose, so we're in agreement to bring that back, if that's your question.

[The Chair, NDP, Hélène LeBlanc]

Thank you. That will be done when the reports are tabled in the next few days, probably tomorrow. I will try to be here. It will depend on my availability.

I will also ask the clerk to distribute the budget for our study on eating disorders among girls and women. These funds will come from our committee's operating budget. We can have a look at it and discuss it if necessary.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Madam Chair, just while that's being passed around, maybe the clerk could enlighten us and let us know if there are some witnesses booked. If you're out of witnesses to call, then we need to send five more from each, perhaps. It's just on where we stand with the witnesses.

[The Clerk]

We currently have a list of 15 potential witnesses. Each party has provided five suggestions. The committee has only heard one witness, Dr. Woodside. We have enough witnesses for the next meetings. Wednesday, witnesses will be appearing before the committee.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Okay, you have lots. Perfect.

[The Chair, NDP, Hélène LeBlanc]

Are there any questions or comments on the proposed budget?

Mr. Young, you have the floor.

[Terence Young, Conservative, Oakville, ON]

I'm sorry, Chair, I was just thinking of the previous comment made by the clerk. I wonder if we can find out who you have booked for the upcoming meetings.