NDDN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on National Defence met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Dawn Black, it was agreed, — That Rick Casson be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That John Cannis be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee, in absentia.

On motion of Robert Bouchard, it was agreed, — That Claude Bachand be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

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.

Laurie Hawn 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, the Parliamentary Secretary, and another member of the official opposition.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

It was agreed, — 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.

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.

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.

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.

Denis Coderre moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting; and, that a representative of the Whip’s office of each party be allowed to attend an in camera meeting.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the motion be amended by substituting the words “a representative of the Whip's office of each party” with the words “one party staff member”.

The question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

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

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.

It was agreed, — 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.

It was agreed, — That, at the discretion of the Chair, witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement;

And that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows:

1st round (7 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Bloc Québécois

— NDP

— Conservative

2nd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Bloc Québécois

— Conservative

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Liberal

3rd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Bloc Québécois

— Conservative

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Liberal

— NDP

And that when a minister is in attendance the order and time allocation for questioning witnesses be the same as above, with the exception that in the first round of questioning ten (10) minutes be allocated to each questioner of each party.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the consideration and examination of any Bill (Government or Private Member's bill) which falls within the express mandate of the Committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination. In such circumstances the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the Bill is reported back to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 6.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That all motions shall be dealt with by the Committee within two (2) meetings of their first being listed on the agenda as Committee business, failing which the motion shall be deemed abandoned by the mover and shall be dispensed with and may no longer be subject to Committee consideration.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 6.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Thursday, November 15, 2007.

At 11:37 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.