PACC Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 1

Wednesday, October 27, 1999

The Standing Committee of Public Accounts met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Clerk, presiding over the election of a Chair.

Members of the Committee present: Hec Clouthier, Paul Forseth, Mac Harb, Marlene Jennings, Steve Mahoney, Philip Mayfield, Beth Phinney, George Proud, John Richardson, Benoît Sauvageau.

Acting Members present: Karen Redman for John Finlay and Chuck Strahl for John Williams.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Jean Dupuis; Brian O'Neal, Research Officers.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(1) and (2) election of a Chair and Vice-chairs.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of a Chair.

Moved by Philip Mayfield, seconded by Mac Harb, - That John Williams do take the Chair of this Committee as Chair. The question being put on the motion, it was agreed to. Accordingly, John Williams was declared duly elected Chair of the Committee in abstentia.

The Clerk presided over the election of an acting Chair.

It was agreed, - That Mac Harb take the Chair as Acting Chair for this meeting.

On motion of George Proud, it was agreed, - That John Richardson be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Beth Phinney, it was agreed, - That Steve Mahoney be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of George Proud, - It was agreed, - That That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, an additional Liberal member and a representative of each of the Bloc Québecois, the New Democratic Party and the Progressive Conservative Party do compose the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

On motion of Chuck Strahl, it was agreed, - That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Benoît Sauvaugeau, it was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least five (5) members are present including three (3) government members and two (2) members of the opposition.

On motion of Karen Redman, it was agreed, - That the witnesses be given five (5) minutes to summarize their opening statements which will be appended to that day’s evidence and, that during the questioning of the witnesses, there be allocated eight (8) minutes for the first questioner of each party and that thereafter four (4) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Marlene Jennings, it was agreed, - That , as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of 2 representatives for any organization.

On motion of Steve Mahoney, it was agreed, -  That the Committee authorize the Chair, from time to time, as the need arises, to take, in conjunction with the Clerk of the Committee the appropriate measures to provide lunches for the Committee and its Sub-committees, for working purposes, and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the budget of the Committee.

Beth Phinney moved, - That 48 hours notice be given before any substantial motion is to be presented to the Committee.

After debate, the question being put on the motion and the result of the vote having been announced YEAS: 4; NAYS: 4, w hereupon the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

On motion of Benoît Sauvageau, it was agreed, - that documents to be distributed to Committee members be in both official languages.

At 4:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jacques Lahaie

Clerk of the Committee