On motion of Paul Lefebvre, it was agreed, — That Hon. Denis Paradis be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Bernard Généreux, it was agreed, — That John Nater be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of John Nater, it was agreed, — That François Choquette be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Hon. Denis Paradis took the Chair.

On motion of Paul Lefebvre, 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.

On motion of Darrell Samson, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two members of the Government; That the quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three (3) members; That each member of the Subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; That in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from the Whip's office attend any meetings.

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that, at least, four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

On motion of Sylvie Boucher, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members only when such documents exist in both official languages and that the Clerk shall inform the witnesses of this requirement at the time of the invitation to appear.

On motion of Linda Lapointe, 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.

On motion of Dan Vandal, it was agreed, — 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.

On motion of Sylvie Boucher, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meetings and that each party be allowed one additional staff person at such meetings.

On motion of John Nater, 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 François Choquette, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice shall be deemed effective if received electronically by the Clerk of the Committee in both official languages by 4 p.m. on the second business day prior to the date of the meeting and that it be distributed to Members the same business day.

On motion of Bernard Généreux, it was agreed, — That at the discretion of the Chair, witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; Round 1: Conservative Party, 6 minutes; Liberal Party, 6 minutes; NDP Party, 6 minutes; Liberal Party, 6 minutes. Round 2: Liberal Party, 6 minutes; Conservative Party, 6 minutes; Liberal Party, 6 minutes, Conservative Party: 5 minutes; NDP Party, 3 minutes.

On motion of Bernard Généreux, it was agreed, — That the meetings with the Commissioner of Official Languages and any Minister be televised if possible.