HUMA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 9:01 a.m. this day, in Room 308 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Eugène Bellemare, it was agreed, — That Judi Longfield be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Carol Skelton, it was agreed, — That Brian Pallister be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Suzanne Tremblay, it was agreed, — That Eugène Bellemare be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Carol Skelton, 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.

It was agreed, — That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and at the discretion of the Chair, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization .

It was agreed, — That, the Committee authorize payment of child care expenses for witnesses appearing before the Committee or one of its Sub-Committees and that such expenses be paid from the Witness Expenses item in the Committee's budget for the fiscal year.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings in order to receive evidence from witneses when a quorum is not present, provided that five members be present and provided that at least one member of the opposition is present with the provision that,in the case of the absene of either Government or opposition members, the Chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as five members are present.

It was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Chair, in consultation with the Clerk, to make the necessary arrangemetns to provide working meals, from time to time, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee's budget.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk circulate to all Members of the Committee Order in Council appointments referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents received from the public only once they have been translated in both official languages.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation.

It was agreed, — That the personal staff of Committee Members and party reserachers be enabled to participate in in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That the Committee attempt to meet on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

It was agreed, — That unless there is unanimous consent, two days written notice must be given to the members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee.

It was moved, - That the Steering Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of nine members including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the two Parliamentary Secretaries to the Minister of Human Resources, one other member from the government and one from each of the otther parties represented, to be named after the usual consultations with the whips;

Brian Pallister moved, — That the motion be amended by striking out the word “nine“ and replacing it by “seven“ and by striking out the words “the two Parliamentary Secretaries to the Minister of Human Resources“.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brian Pallister and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Peter Adams, Brian Pallister, Carol Skelton, Suzanne Tremblay — 4; NAYS: Eleni Bakopanos, Eugène Bellemare, Jeannot Castonguay, Karen Kraft Sloan, Anita Neville, Yolande Thibeault — 6.

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

Brian Pallister 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 of the Committee;

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 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.

At 9:53 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.