FOPO Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 1

Wednesday, February 28, 2001

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building for the purpose of organization.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, John Cummins, John Duncan, Wayne Easter, Georges Farrah, Dominic LeBlanc, James Lunney, Bill Matthews, Shawn Murphy, Lawrence O'Brien, Jean-Yves Roy, Paul Steckle, Peter Stoffer, Suzanne Tremblay, Tom Wappel.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Alan Nixon, Research Officer.

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 the Chair.

On the motion of Peter Steckle, seconded by Lawrence O'Brien, it was agreed that Wayne Easter be elected as Chair of the Committee.

Accordingly, Wayne Easter was declared duly elected Chair of the Committee and took the Chair

Wayne Easter made an opening statement.

On the motion of John Cummins, it was agreed - That the Committee vote its thanks to Bill Farrell, the previous Clerk of the Committee.

On the motion of John Cummins, it was agreed - That John Duncan be elected as Vice-Chair.

On the motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, - That Sarkis Assadourian be elected as Vice-Chair.

Tom Wappel moved, - That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and one Member from the Bloc québécois, New Democratic Party, and the Progressive Conservative compose the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

After debate, John Cummins moved, - That the motion be amended by striking out the words "the Parliamentary Secretary".

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 3 NAYS: 7

The question being put on the main motion, it was agreed to on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 7 NAYS: 0

On motion of Tom Wappel, 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 Bill Matthews, it was agreed, - That, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for the first questioner for the Canadian Alliance, followed by five (5) minutes for the Bloc, then ten (10) minutes for the Liberals, then five (5) minutes for the Canadian Alliance, then five (5) minutes for the NDP, then five (5) minutes for the Liberal, then five (5) minutes for the Conservatives and if there is subsequent round, that the rotation be the same except all questioning will be for five (5) minutes.

On motion of Tom Wappel, it was agreed, - That, at the discretion of the Chair, reasonable travelling expenses, as per the regulations established by the Board of Internal Economy be paid to witnesses invited to appear before the Committee, and that payment of these expenses be limited to two (2) representatives per organization.

On the motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, - That the proceedings of the Committee be televised whenever possible.

On motion of Suzanne Tremblay, it was agreed, - That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings in order to receive evidence when a quorum is not present, providing that at least three (3) members, including both Government and Opposition, be present. 

On motion of Tom Wappel, 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 committees and its sub-committees, for working purposes, and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the appropriate budget of the Committee.

On motion of Suzanne Tremblay, it was agreed, - That any document the Clerk of the Committee distributes to the members of the Committee be in both official languages.  

On the motion of John Duncan, it was agreed, - That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be held by the Clerk for consultation.

On motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, - That whenever an Order in Council appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each Member of the Committee a copy of the said appointment with the appointee's curriculum vitae, and in any other case where the Minister makes an appointment, that the Committee be informed, and the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each Member of the Committee a copy of the said appointment with the appointee's curriculum vitae.

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, - That twenty-four (24) hours notice be given to the members of the Committee before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee, and that the said motion be circulated in both official languages.

John Duncan moved, - That the Committee would sit in camera only at the call of the Committee.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 4 NAYS: 7

John Duncan moved - That witnesses' opening statements be limited to ten (10) minutes.

After debate, Peter Stoffer moved that the motion be amended by striking the word "ten (10)" and replacing it with the word "fifteen (15)".

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 2 NAYS: 4

The question being put on the main motion, it was agreed to on the following show of hands:

YEAS: 11 NAYS: 1

It was agreed,--That the Committee invite the Auditor General (or his senior officials) on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., concerning aquaculture.

At 4:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Andrew Bartholomew Chaplin

Clerk of the Committee