ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 8:46 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That Nathan Cullen be elected Chair of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That Patricia Davidson be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Sean Casey, it was agreed, — That Scott Andrews be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee in absentia..

At 8:56 a.m., Nathan Cullen took the Chair.

On motion of Charlie Angus, 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.

Patricia Davidson 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 4 members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Earl Dreeshen, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee.

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair including if requested, reasonable childcare expenses be reimbursed.

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and in addition each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member in attendance.

On motion of Patricia Davidson, 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.

John Carmichael moved, — That notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages at least 48 hours prior to the start time of the meeting where the motion may be moved.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That 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 1st round of questioning and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the 2nd and subsequent rounds of questioning.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That the order of questions for the 1st round of questioning shall be as follows: NDP, CPC, LIB, CPC. During the 2nd round shall alternate between the Government members and Opposition members in the following fashion: NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, LIB and CPC; based on the principle that each Committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witness (es). If time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That the evidence and documentation received by the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics during the 3rd Session of the 40th Parliament in relation to its study of Open Government be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session.

At 9:31 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.