FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 9:03 a.m. this day, in Room 536 Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, — That Tom Wappel be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Andy Burton, it was agreed, — That John Cummins be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Rodger Cuzner, it was agreed, — That Bill Matthews be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Bob Wood moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean, a representative of the Bloc Québécois and a representative of the New Democratic Party.

Debate arose thereon.

John Cummins moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans” with the words “a representative of the Government Party”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of John Cummins and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts 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 the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the government and a member of the opposition.

On motion of Bob Wood, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee, at the discretion of the Chair, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

On motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee, at the discretion of the Chair, be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

On motion of Rodger Cuzner, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Murray Calder, 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 appointees curriculum vitae.

On motion of Gary Schellenberger, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement.

John Cummins moved, — That during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: ten (10) minutes for the Conservative Party, followed by five (5) minutes for Bloc Québécois, ten (10) minutes for the Liberal Party, five (5) minutes for the Conservative Party, five (5) minutes for the Liberal Party, five (5) minutes for the New Democratic Party and, if there is subsequent round, that the rotation be the same except all questioning will be for five (5) minutes. .

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Loyola Hearn, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages.

On motion of Andy Burton, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be instructed to endeavour to have all meetings televised whenever a Minister appears before the Committee.

By unanimous consent, John Cummins moved, — That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a televised meeting, if possible, of the Committee.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, on motion of John Cummins, it was agreed, — That whenever a chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant senior officials of the department to appear before the Committee, at a televised meeting, if possible.

At 9:20 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.