SECU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Garry Breitkreuz, presiding.

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. These services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.

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 to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages. The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before the committee of this requirement.

It was agreed, — That each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings. In addition each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from each party's Whip's office.

It was agreed, — That In camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members and research staff of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hereby authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, as may be required, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget.

It was agreed, — That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representative from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable family care expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed.

Dave MacKenzie moved, — That the consideration and examination of any 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.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Dave MacKenzie moved, — That a notice of two (2) working days shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; that the period of notice be calculated from the time the motion has been distributed to the members of the committee by the Clerk of the Committee; that the motion shall be distributed to members in both official languages; that all motions received by the Clerk shall be placed upon the agenda of the first committee meeting following the period of notice.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

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.

It was agreed, — That, at the discretion of the Chair, the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement. During the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party; starting with the opposition parties; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, continuing with the opposition going first and alternating between government members and opposition members until every member has spoken once.

It was agreed, — 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 the report by the committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee continue its review of the Witness Protection Program and that Yvon Dandurand, Associate Vice-President of the University College of the Fraser Valley and Anne-Marie Boisvert, Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Montreal be invited to appear in relation to the study.

It was agreed, — That Minister Stockwell Day be invited to appear in relation to Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (certificate and special advocate) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, on Tuesday, November 27, 2007.

Ujjal Dosanjh gave notice of the following motion: That this Committee study the tragic death of Robert Dziekanski and invite representatives of Canada Border Services Agency, Royale Canadian Mounted Police and Vancouver Airport Authority and others to make presentations to that end.

At 5:19 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.