CC2 Committee Meeting

Pursuant to Standing Order 113(3) the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2 met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Rick Dykstra, presiding.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the Minister of Justice be invited to appear before the Committee from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, and the officials appear between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

On motion of Réal Ménard, it was agreed, — That the Minister appears today from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with his officials, that the meeting be televised, and that the Minister appears again with his officials before the clause-by-clause of the bill, if needed.

On motion of Larry Bagnell, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed, and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

Derek Lee moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Réal Ménard, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “three” with the word “five”, and the word “one” by the word “two”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least five (5) members are present, including two (2) members of the opposition.

On motion of Derek Lee, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Derek Lee, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

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

Marlene Jennings moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meeting”, the following: “one party staff”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Réal Ménard and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and one party staff.

On motion of Marlene Jennings, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Marlene Jennings moved, — That the Committee’s meetings be televised.

Derek Lee moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “televised” the following: “unless otherwise determined by the Committee”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Derek Lee and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee’s meetings be televised unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

Derek Lee moved, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Rob Moore moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “48” with the word “24”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Réal Ménard and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That 24 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

On motion of Richard Harris, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes to the first questioner of each party, starting with the opposition parties; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between opposition parties and Government.

On motion of Gerald Keddy, it was agreed, — That the lists of witnesses be provided to the Clerk no later than November 1st, 2007.

Derek Lee moved, — That amendments to Bill C-2 be submitted to the Clerk 48 hours before the beginning of clause-by-clause consideration.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “consideration” the following: “without precluding the tabling of additional amendments from the floor”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Réal Ménard and it was agreed to.

Joe Comartin moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “48” with the word “24”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Joe Comartin and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That amendments to Bill C-2 be submitted to the Clerk 24 hours before the beginning of clause-by-clause consideration, without precluding the tabling of additional amendments from the floor.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair and a member from each party.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 8.

Réal Ménard moved, — That the Committee meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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

Gerald Keddy moved, — That the Committee meets on Monday, November 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, November 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to proceed with clause-by-clause of the Bill.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Marlene Jennings moved, — That the Committee proceeds with clause-by-clause of the bill on Tuesday, November 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and if not completed, the Committee sit on Wednesday, November 21^st, from 3:30 p.m. until clause-by-clause is completed.

Debate arose thereon.

Rob Moore moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “and if not completed, the Committee sit on Wednesday, November 21^st, from 3:30 p.m. until clause-by-clause is completed” with the words “and that the Committee meets on Wednesday, November 21^st, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. if necessary”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Rob Moore and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 5.

At 12:34 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:36 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Marlene Jennings moved, — That the Committee study primarily the Bill C-27 portion of Bill C-2; accordingly, that the Committee uses the list of witnesses established by the Bill C-27 Legislative Committee in the First session of the 39th Parliament; that the evidence and documentation received by the Legislative Committee on Bill C-27 in the First session of the 39th Parliament be taken into consideration by this Committee; and that the witnesses who have testified in the First session, 39th Parliament be invited back before this committee, if needed.

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