ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — That James Bezan be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of David J. McGuinty, it was agreed, — That Francis Scarpaleggia be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Christian Ouellet, it was agreed, — That Bernard Bigras be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

James Bezan took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with routine motions.

On motion of Jeff Watson, 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.

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed on division, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Parliamentary Secretary and a Member from each of the opposition parties; that the quorum of the Subcommittee consist of at least three (3) Members, one of whom must be from the Government and one member from the opposition; and that each Member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one assistant attend any of the Subcommittee meetings.

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed on division, — That Cabinet Ministers be allowed a maximum of 15 minutes for their presentations whereas all other witnesses be allowed 10 minutes; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party; that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between government and opposition parties and that no Member be given a second opportunity to ask a question until all Members have had an opportunity to ask a question; and, that Members may share their time.

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed on division, — That the order of speaking for the first round of questioning should be as follows: Liberal, Bloc, NDP, Conservative; that the questioning during the second round shall alternate between opposition members and the Government members in the following fashion: Liberal, Conservative; Bloc, Conservative; Liberal, Conservative; Conservative, based on the principle that each Committee Member shall have a full opportunity to question the witnesses and that, if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed, — That a full 36 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 electronically received by the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to Members in both official languages.

Stephen Woodworth 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.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on division.

Mark Warawa 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 five (5) members are present, including the Chair and one Member from each of the recognized parties.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

At 11:01 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.