It was agreed, — That the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

1. That for the duration of the pandemic, no food be ordered for committee meetings, and that the decision regarding the ordering of food be revisited should the situation change.

2. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a comprehensive study of four meetings of the challenges related to the recovery of the arts, culture, heritage, and sport sectors, which have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; that, as part of this study, the Committee: (a) provide an overview of the current state of these sectors; (b) identify existing issues that impede the recovery of these sectors; (c) identify the issues these sectors face in obtaining the necessary infrastructure and spaces; (d) assess the effectiveness of the federal government's support measures; (e) consider additional solutions or measures to ensure the sectors’ sustainable recovery and ensure that these sectors have access to and availability of the necessary tools and infrastructure to succeed now and in the future; that the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and departmental officials be invited to appear for no less than two hours on this topic.

3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage to appear before the committee for not less than two hours to discuss the instructions provided to him by the Prime Minister in his mandate letter.

4. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on Rogers Communications Inc.’s takeover of Shaw Communications to consider the deal’s impact on local news; that the committee hear from relevant experts and stakeholders; and that the committee schedule at least one meeting and report its findings and recommendations to the House.

5. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the Status of the Artist Act and its impact on improving basic working conditions for artists; that the committee invite officials from the heritage department, tax experts and other stakeholders and groups from the culture sector to follow up on this issue and that the committee hold a minimum of four meetings to that end; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

6. That a preliminary list of witnesses be submitted by members to the clerk of the committee for the study of the challenges related to the recovery of the arts, culture, heritage, and sport sectors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, no later than Friday, January 28, 2022, by 5:30 p.m.; and that a full list of witnesses in ranked order, with contact information where possible, be provided to the clerk of the committee no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2022, by 12:00 p.m.

7. That the study of the challenges related to the recovery of the arts, culture, heritage, and sport sectors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic be the first study undertaken by the committee beginning on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, followed by subsequent meetings on February 7, 9, and 14, 2022.

8. That, for the meeting of Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Minister of Canadian Heritage be invited to appear before the committee for two hours to discuss the instructions provided to him by the Prime Minister in his mandate letter.

9. That witnesses be invited for two-hour panels, except where specified by motion; and that the committee reconsider the length of panels once COVID-19 regulations change.

It was agreed, — That, the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the Second Session of the Forty-third Parliament on the subject of the challenges and issues faced by the arts, culture, heritage and sport sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session as part of its study of the challenges related to the recovery of the arts, culture, heritage, and sport sectors, which have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.