STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR
Pursuant to Order made by the House on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the following routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session are deemed to have been adopted by the Committee in the current session:
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 and that these services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.
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 (1) member of the opposition.
That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions; that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the Committee members must be in both official languages and that the Clerk advise all witnesses appearing before the Committee of this requirement.
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.
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) representatives from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable family care expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed.
That each Committee member in attendance be permitted to have one (1) staff member attend at any in camera meetings and that, in addition each party be permitted to have one (1) staff member from each party Whip's office.
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.
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.
That, at the discretion of the Chair, the witnesses from any one organization be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, 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.
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 adoption of the report by the committee.