Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I explained to the chair, I heard a rumour that the last opposition day for this supply period, which ends on March 26, will be held next Monday, on March 12, and that the announcement would no doubt be made tomorrow after question period. Since the announcement will be made tomorrow afternoon, the chair will be able to table the committee report on the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the Privy Council Office.

Government Operations committee  It is the standard price we use for witnesses who come from the Toronto region. It might be a lot less. In that case, as you know, we pay what the witnesses claim. What we save is returned to the general envelope of the Liaison Committee for other committee activities of the House of Commons.

Government Operations committee  They are reported back without amendment.

Government Operations committee  From Monday to Friday?

Government Operations committee  You will need to suspend the meeting before we switch to in camera.

Government Operations committee  Suspended.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. In response to Mr. Wallace's comment, I have no objection. It will be my pleasure to send the notices of motion the same day they get to my office. That said, I wonder if we could agree on a deadline, from Monday to Friday. What if a motion is sent to me on a Tuesday evening at 9:15 p.m. when I'm home?

Government Operations committee  The chair is part of the quorum.

Government Operations committee  If you wish, you can add “excluding the chair of the committee”.

Government Operations committee  It is in the form of an instruction to the committee chair to canvass the committee if this situation arises or happens. In my experience, it happens very rarely because mostly you will have a set of witnesses for the first hour from one organization and for the second hour it's going to be an entirely different organization appearing before you.

Government Operations committee  Do you want me to explain it?

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. The third motion on the list of routine motions pertains to this committee in particular. It deals with cases where witnesses from the same organization attend the same hearing. If the group of witnesses appearing in the first hour and the group appearing in the second hour both belong to the same organization, this motion will require the chair to consult with the committee on whether to start all over again with the round of questions during the second hour or whether to resume from where it left off at the end of the first hour.

Government Operations committee  Good morning, everyone. This is the first committee meeting of this 41st Parliament. Isn't that wonderful? I see a quorum. We can now proceed to the election of the chair pursuant to the Standing Orders. I am now ready to receive any motions you might have in this regard. Mr.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Wallace has just nominated Mr. Pat Martin for the position of chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. Are there any further nominations? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt this motion? (Motion agreed to) Mr. Pat Martin is duly elected chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

Government Operations committee  It has been moved by Mr. Blanchette that Mr. Mike Wallace be elected first vice-chair. Are there any other nominations? Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt this motion? (Motion agreed to)