PACP Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Andrew Saxton, it was agreed, — That Shawn Murphy be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Shawn Murphy, it was agreed, — That Daryl Kramp be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Daryl Kramp, it was agreed, — That David Christopherson be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Shawn Murphy took the Chair.

On motion of Yasmin Ratansi, 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.

Yasmin Ratansi moved, — 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.

John Weston moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the following: “A quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three members, one of whom must be from the government and one member of the opposition. Each member of the Subcommittee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend at any meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of John Weston and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after “composed of” with the following: "a non-voting Chair and one representative from all the parties.".

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 Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of a non-voting Chair and one representative from all the parties.

Yasmin Ratansi 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 members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Bev Shipley moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “three” with the word “four”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bev Shipley and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 2.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 2.

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 four members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Yasmin Ratansi, 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 Daryl Kramp, 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 David Christopherson, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

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

Debate arose thereon.

David Christopherson moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “in camera meeting” the following: “and that, in addition, each party may have in attendance one representative.”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Christopherson and it was agreed to.

On motion of Meili Faille, it was agreed, — That the French text of the motion be amended by replacing the words “du personnel” with the words “de son personnel”.

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 that, in addition, each party may have in attendance one representative.

On motion of Meili Faille, 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 Daryl Kramp, 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 before consideration is given.

Yasmin Ratansi moved, — That witnesses be given five (5) minutes to make their opening statement and if they have additional information, it should be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee and; that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning, eight (8) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Liberal and Conservative, on the second round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Liberal and Conservative.

Daryl Kramp moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after “first round of questioning,” with the following: “seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, NDP and Conservative, on the second round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, Liberal and Conservative”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Daryl Kramp 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 witnesses be given five (5) minutes to make their opening statement and if they have additional information, it should be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee and; that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: on the first round of questioning, seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, NDP and Conservative, on the second round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, Liberal and Conservative.

It was agreed, — That on Thursday, February 5, 2009, the Committee hold a meeting on the Public Accounts of Canada 2008.

It was agreed, — That on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, the Committee invite the Auditor General of Canada to appear on the December 2008 Report.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet immediately following the adjournment of this meeting.

At 4:54 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.