Evidence of meeting #1 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd 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.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Andrew Bartholomew Chaplin
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 government party.
I'm ready to receive motions for the chair.
Mr. Badawey.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Mr. Clerk, I would like to put forward the name of the Honourable Judy Sgro, please.
The Clerk
Thank you, Mr. Hardie.
There being no other nominations, it has been moved by Mr. Badawey that Madam Sgro be elected as chair of the committee.
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Judy Sgro duly elected chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Let me begin by thanking my colleagues for their confidence.
I noticed that no one raised any objections, and I want to thank all my other colleagues on the committee for their support as well. I very much look forward to working with them.
Would the committee like to proceed with the election of the vice-chairs, Mr. Clerk, as appropriate?
The Clerk
Thank you, Madam Chair.
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.
Madam Watts.
Conservative
Dianne Lynn Watts Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
I move that Luc Berthold be first vice-chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Ms. Watts that Mr. Berthold be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.
Are there any further motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried.
I declare Mr. Berthold duly elected first vice-chair of the committee.
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'm now prepared to receive motions for the second vice-chair.
Madam Block.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Thank you.
I would like to nominate Linda Duncan as the second vice-chair.
The Clerk
It has been moved by Madam Block that Madam Duncan be elected as second vice-chair. Are there any other motions?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare the motion carried and Madam Duncan duly elected second vice-chair of the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk.
I want to take a moment to say that we have Kate Young and Pablo Rodriguez here as the parliamentary secretaries who will be here to assist the committee. They will be sitting in their new positions and will be here to offer support and advice, but will certainly not participate as voting members.
As we move forward, there are a variety of housekeeping motions that we have to deal with, but I do want to stress one particular thing to all of my colleagues who are here, which is that we're starting a new term in office and it's certainly my intention to work in a very non-partisan manner. I think we're hearing that message all around, and I certainly welcome the other members of the committee—and I'm not going to call you opposition members—to work together to advance the interests of our country.
I think that if we put those interests first and leave the partisan stuff outside the door—we can use that in QP—we can work as much as possible in a non-partisan way here to truly go forward with this particular committee to build this country and to respond to the needs of our cities and our provinces. I can assure you that I will stress at all times absolute fairness and equality among all of us as colleagues, and not anything else.
We have some housekeeping things to be done today so that we are able to move forward.
The first one, Mr. Clerk, is on the services of the analyst. Shall I read that out?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I'll read it first and then ask for the mover:
That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, and that these services be requested at the discretion of the Chair.
It is moved by Sean Fraser and seconded by Ken Hardie.
(Motion agreed to)
These are very much routine motions that are passed at every committee at the beginning.
The second one concerns the subcommittee on agenda and procedure:
That the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of 5 members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, and two government members; that quorum of the Sub-committee consist of at least three (3) members, one of whom shall be a member from the opposition; that each member of the sub-committee be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure; and that, in addition, each party be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend any meetings.
It is moved by Mr. Badawey.
Go ahead, Ms. Duncan.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, I appreciate your opening remarks, and I hope that we can actually work together collaboratively.
In keeping with the subcommittee on agenda and procedure being non-partisan, balanced, and collaborative, I would like to recommend that it be composed of the chair, the two vice-chairs, and one government member only. In that way, we'll make sure that all members of the committee are fairly represented.
Without seeing in writing what you are proposing, it's hard for me to amend. Could you reiterate it?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Again, this is exactly the same procedure we've had every other time:
That the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of 5 members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, and two government members; that quorum of the Sub-committee consist of at least three (3) members, one of whom shall be a member from the opposition; that each member of the sub-committee be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure; and that, in addition, each party be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend any meetings.
Would you like to elaborate a little bit more clearly now?
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to amend the proposal you have tabled and remove “two government members” and instead say “one government member”. I would also like to remove the proposal that the quorum would require only one opposition member.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Are there any comments on the amendments proposed by Ms. Duncan?
Mr. Badawey.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Madam Chair, I have just one question. In the subcommittee, does the chair actually have a vote?
