CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met in camera at 8:49 a.m. this day, in Room 306, La Promenade Building, the Chair, the Hon. Rob Merrifield, presiding.

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.

It was agreed, — That the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five (5) members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party; quorum of the Sub-Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members one of whom shall be from the official opposition; each member of the Sub-committee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend any meetings of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure and, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend any meetings.

It was agreed, — 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 member from the government and one member of the official opposition and that in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, so long as one member of the government and one member of the opposition is present.

It was agreed, — That the witnesses from any one organization shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; when there are three (3) or more witnesses or organisations each shall be allowed eight (8) minutes to make their opening statement; that during the questioning of witnesses, there shall be allocated seven (7) minutes to each questioner for the first round of questioning, unless otherwise specified, and thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the second, unless otherwise specified, and subsequent rounds of questioning; that the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservative, seven (7) minutes, New Democratic Party, seven (7) minutes, Liberal, five (5) minutes, Conservative, seven (7) minutes; that the order of questions for the second round of questioning be as follows: New Democratic Party, Conservative; that the order of questions for the third round of questioning be as follows: Conservative, New Democratic Party, Liberal, Conservative; and that for subsequent rounds the Committee repeat the pattern of the first three rounds.

It was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee, with adequate notice, be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee any documents, including motions, and that all documents which are to be distributed amongst the committee members must be in both official languages and that the Clerk shall advise all witness appearing before committee of this requirement.

It was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals.

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.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office and from their party at in camera meetings and, in addition, each party shall be permitted to have one staff member from a House Officer attend in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of the Committee or their designated staff member.

It was agreed, — That forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee; and that the motion shall be filed and distributed to members by the clerk in both official languages and that completed motions that are received by 4:00 p.m. shall be distributed to members the same day.

It was agreed, — That whenever a minister appears before the Committee, every effort should be made in order for the meeting to be televised.

At 9:34 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:38 a.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and that the evidence and documentation received by the Standing Committee on International Trade during the 1st Session of the 41st Parliament in relation to its study of the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) be taken into consideration by the Committee in the current session, and report its findings to the House.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) and report its findings to the House.

At 10:34 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.