Committees / Committee Proceedings

Organization meeting: notice requirement not respected

November 5, 2002

Debates, p. 1327

On November 5, 2002, Dale Johnston (Wetaskiwin) rose on a point of order with respect to a notice issued by the Committees Directorate for a meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to elect a Chair and Vice-Chairs. Earlier in the day, the Committee had met but had been unable to elect a Chair; the meeting had ended and a notice had been issued later that day for another organization meeting to be held the next day. Mr. Johnston argued that, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1), 48 hours’ notice was required, so the Speaker should rescind the notice and order that a new notice be issued in conformity with the Standing Orders. The Speaker took the matter under advisement.^[1]

The Speaker delivered his ruling later in the sitting. He stated that 48 hours’ notice should have been provided as required by the Standing Order. He informed the House that a new notice would be issued and that the Committee would meet on Thursday, November 7, 2002.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: I would like to interrupt the question and comment period following the Member’s speech to rule on the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Wetaskiwin earlier today. I am ready to make a ruling at this point.

The hon. Member raised a question about the application of Standing Order 106 to notice of committee meetings of the House. Perhaps I could read Standing Order 106(1):

Within ten sitting days following the adoption by the House of a report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs pursuant to Standing Order 104(1), the Clerk of the House shall convene a meeting of each standing committee whose membership is contained in that report for the purpose of electing a Chairman, provided that forty-eight hours’ notice is given of any such meeting.

I understand this morning there was a meeting of a committee, I believe it was the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, called for the purpose of electing a Chair. I may have the name of the Committee wrong, so I do not want to be quoted on that.

The Committee meeting broke up in disarray without electing a Chair. The hon. Member for Wetaskiwin was objecting to the fact that less than 48 hours’ notice was given of the next meeting of the Committee for the purpose of electing a Chair.

I have concluded in reading Standing Order 106(1) it requires that 48 hours’ notice be given and I have directed accordingly. I believe the hon. Member was correct. Accordingly there will be notice, and I understand it will be done by six o’clock tonight, requiring that the Committee meet on Thursday instead of tomorrow and I wish to advise the House accordingly.

The Committee held its organization meeting on November 7, 2002.^[2]