FOPO Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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Minutes of Proceedings
On motion of Mark Strahl, it was agreed, — That Scott Simms be elected Chair of the Committee.
At 3:46 p.m., Scott Simms took the Chair.
On motion of Don Davies, it was agreed, — That Robert Sopuck be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.
On motion of Mark Strahl, it was agreed, — That Fin Donnelly be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee in absentia.
At 3:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 3:56 p.m., the sitting resumed.
On motion of Ken McDonald, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.
Don Davies moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and (2) two members of the government party.
After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 3.
On motion of Bernadette Jordan, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one (1)member of the opposition and one (1) member of the government.
On motion of Ken McDonald, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.
On motion of Pat Finnigan, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.
Ken Hardie moved, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.
Don Davies moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Chair” the following: “however, each witness shall be offered the opportunity to testify by videoconference”.
The question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.
After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.
On motion of Mark Strahl, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one (1) staff person at an in camera meeting and that each party be allowed one (1) additional staff person at in camera meetings.
On motion of Bernadette Jordan, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.
On motion of Ken McDonald, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed by 5 p.m. to members in both official languages.
Mel Arnold moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, during the questioning of witnesses, six (6) minutes be allocated to each party in the first round in the following order: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, New Democratic Party and Liberal Party; and that for the second round of questioning, the time be allocated as follows: Liberal Party six (6) minutes, Conservative Party six (6) minutes, Liberal Party six (6) minutes, Conservative Party five (5) minutes and New Democratic Party three (3) minutes.
Mark Strahl moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, during the questioning of witnesses, seven (7) minutes be allocated to each party in the first round in the following order: Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party and Liberal Party; and that for the second round of questioning, the time be allocated as follows: Conservative Party five (5) minutes, Liberal Party five (5) minutes, Conservative Party five (5) minutes, Liberal Party five (5) minutes, and New Democratic Party three (3) minutes.
The question was put on the amendment of Mark Strahl and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.
After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.
On motion of Mel Arnold, it was agreed, — That the clerk of the Committee be instructed to request from the Minister’s office the curriculum vitae of an appointee or nominee once the Committee has been notified of their nomination and distribute it to the members of the Committee.
Don Davies moved, — That all requests to appear before the Committee be distributed to committee members.
After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 3.
Don Davies moved, — That whenever the minister appears before the committee, every effort be made to ensure that the meeting is televised.
After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.
Mark Strahl moved, — That the committee invite the Minister to appear to discuss his mandate letter as soon as possible.
The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.
At 4:46 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.