OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met in a televised session at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Yasmin Ratansi, presiding.

Jacques Gourde moved, — That the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates report to the House at the earliest opportunity that the rights and privileges of members on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates are believed to have been infringed upon; the Committee therefore requests that the Speaker of the House of Commons investigate this matter in a timely fashion and rule on whether the rights and privileges of members have been infringed upon; and that in the interim the member from Don Valley East should recluse herself temporarily and immediately of all duties as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Governemnt Operations and Estimates.

The Chair ruled the motion out of order on the grounds that it contained provisions instructing the Speaker of the House; standing committees may only make recommendations to the House.

A point of order was raised regarding the presence of Ministers of the Crown at the witnesses’ table when they had not been invited to appear by the Committee at this meeting.

DECISION BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled that the questioning of witnesses by the members of the Committee should focus on witnesses Doug Maley and André C. Morin, but that members could question the Ministers if they so wished.

Whereupon, Patrick Brown appealed from the decision of the Chair.

At 3:59 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:01 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the appeal of the decision by the Chair be withdrawn.

Doug Maley and André C. Morin made statements and answered questions.

Chris Warkentin moved, — That the Hon. John Baird, the Hon. Gary Goodyear and the Hon. Christian Paradis be designated witnesses for the remainder of the meeting and that they be authorized, in that capacity, to make opening statements of two minutes each.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 1.

At 4:24 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:07 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Michel Guimond moved, — That, as part of the study on renewable energy projects funded by the government, the Hon. John Baird, the Hon. Gary Goodyear and the Hon. Christian Paradis swear an oath or make a solemn declaration before testifying.

The question was put on the motion and the results of the vote was announced: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 4.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

The Hon. John Baird, the Hon. Gary Goodyear and the Hon. Christian Paradis were called, duly sworn and questioned.

Alexandra Mendes moved, — That the meeting be extended to 5:45 p.m.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 5.

At 5:33 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:34 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That consideration of the draft report be deferred to the meeting of Monday, June 7, 2010.

At 5:37 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.