FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Scott Simms, it was agreed, — That Fabian Manning be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Randy Kamp, it was agreed, — That Bill Matthews be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Peter Stoffer, it was agreed, — That Raynald Blais be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Fabian Manning took the Chair.

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

Ken Epp moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, a member of the other opposition party and a member of the Government party.

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

Gerry Byrne 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.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Allen moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “opposition” the words “and one member from the government”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mike Allen and it was negatived.

On motion of Blaine Calkins, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “including one member of the opposition”.

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 three (3) members are present.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

On motion of Bill Matthews, 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.

Raynald Blais moved, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

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

On motion of Bill Matthews, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Yvon Lévesque, 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.

On motion of Raynald Blais, it was agreed, — That forty-eight (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.

Peter Stoffer moved, — That witnesses from an organization be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for the first questioner of the Liberal Party, seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of the Bloc Québécois, five (5) minutes to the questioner of the New Democratic Party and ten (10) minutes for the first questioner of the Conservative Party; and that if there is a subsequent round that the rotation be the same except all questioning be for five (5) minutes.

Debate arose thereon.

Randy Kamp moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after “allocated” with the words “seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of the Liberal Party, five (5) minutes for the first questioner of the Bloc Québécois, five (5) minutes to the questioner of the New Democratic Party and seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of the Conservative Party; and that for subsequent rounds that the rotation be the same except all questioning be for five (5) minutes and four (4) minutes respectively”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Randy Kamp and it was negatived.

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

Randy Kamp moved, — That every party shall have the right to attach, as an annex, a dissenting opinion on any report to be presented to the House of Commons by the Committee; and that this dissenting opinion shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee within 72 hours of the passing of a report by the Committee.

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

On motion of Blaine Calkins, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee undertake a study on the Operation and Maintenance of Small Craft Harbours and that the evidence presented in the course of the Committee's consideration of Small Craft Harbours during the 1^st Session, 39^th Parliament be adopted.

At 5:21 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.