Evidence of meeting #1 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Jacques Lahaie
Members of the committee, I see a quorum. We can now proceed to the election of a chair.
I'm ready to receive motions to that effect.
Mr. Stoffer.
11:05 a.m.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Sir, I'd like to nominate Mr. David Sweet, please, as chair of the committee.
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk
Are there any other motions?
It's been moved by Mr. Stoffer that Mr. Sweet be elected chair of this committee. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Mr. Sweet duly elected chair of this committee.
11:05 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk
If the committee wishes, we can also proceed to the election of vice-chairs.
I would need a motion for the election of the first vice-chair.
Mr. Tonks.
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk
Are there other motions?
It's been moved by Mr. Tonks that Mr. Oliphant be elected vice-chair of this committee. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Okay. I declare Mr. Oliphant duly elected vice-chair of the committee.
11:05 a.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk
We'll proceed to the second vice-chair.
Mr. Sweet.
11:05 a.m.
The Clerk
Are there any other motions?
It is moved by Mr. Sweet that Mr. Stoffer be elected second vice-chair of this committee. Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
I declare Mr. Stoffer duly elected vice-chair.
I now invite Mr. Sweet to take the chair.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you very much.
Thank you for your confidence in allowing me to again serve as your chair in this committee.
The first piece of business is routine proceedings. I have a motion that I need to refer you to from the House. But first I think it's most appropriate, since this is a veterans affairs committee, that we take two minutes to remember our First World War veteran John Babcock, who, as you know, has passed away. He represents the last of a generation who fought for our freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Let's take two minutes of silence and remember those who paid the ultimate price in World War I.
[Moments of silence observed]
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
11:05 a.m.
Some hon. members
We will remember them.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Ladies and gentlemen, you've likely seen that on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the House of Commons made the following order:
That, for all standing committees, routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session be deemed to have been adopted in the current session, provided that committees be empowered to alter or rescind such motions as they deem appropriate.
Accordingly, the routine motions that were in effect at the time of prorogation are reinstated. The clerk will reflect the House order in the minutes of this meeting. The committee can, if it chooses, amend any of these motions.
Finally, for information purposes, the clerk has distributed a copy of the motions to you.
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
11:05 a.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
Our assumption--we were getting some conflicting advice from our whip's office--was that these were the routine motions about the way we work. The other motions needed to be re-presented.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
That's correct.
Accordingly, with no objection to that, the routine motions are passed.
Mr. Kerr.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I'm glad we're back at it. I think there's a lot of work to get done. I trust we're going to work in our usual cordial way as a committee on behalf of veterans. I do look forward to that.
I also think it's important that we do reflect on the agenda that we did agree to, after a lot of debate and discussion, before Christmas. I think there are a lot of items there that we want to make sure we move forward on.
Would this be the time to suggest that we go in camera to discuss this?
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS
I'm just saying that if we want to discuss future business, I suggest we go in camera, as we normally have.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Yes, okay.
Seeing no objection, we'll take a moment to go in camera to discuss future business.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
