FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 228, La Promenade Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Françoise Boivin, it was agreed, — That Niki Ashton 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 Joyce Bateman, it was agreed, — That Tilly O'Neill Gordon be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Ed Holder, it was agreed, — That Judy Sgro be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Niki Ashton took the Chair.

By unanimous consent, the Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

On motion of Susan Truppe, 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 Susan Truppe, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and the Parliamentary Secretary.

On motion of Susan Truppe, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the opposition and a member of the government.

On motion of Judy Sgro, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

On motion of Susan Truppe, 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 Susan Truppe, 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.

Susan Truppe moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; 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: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party. On the following round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

Debate arose thereon.

Françoise Boivin moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the final New Democratic Party question in the second round by a Liberal Party question.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Susan Truppe, it was agreed, — That the amendment be amended by exchanging the position of the final two questions of the second round.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Françoise Boivin and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; 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: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party. On the following round of questioning, five (5) minutes per party in the following order: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party.

The question was put on the motion of Susan Truppe, as amended, and was agreed to.

On motion of Ed Holder, it was agreed, — That each Committee member in attendance shall be permitted to have one staff member attend at any in camera meetings. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

On motion of Susan Truppe, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Susan Truppe, it was agreed, — That forty-eight (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; and, that completed motions received by 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday be distributed to members the same day.

At 4:23 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.