OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Pierre-Luc Dusseault, presiding.

Pat Martin moved, — That the Committee may meet in camera only for the purpose of discussing: (a) wages, salaries and other employee benefits; (b) contracts and contract negotiations; (c) labour relations and personnel matters; (d) a draft report; (e) briefings concerning national security; and (f) technical briefings; and that all votes taken in camera be recorded in the Minutes of Proceedings, including how each member voted when recorded votes are requested.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Denis Blanchette, Gerry Byrne, Anne-Marie Day, Pat Martin — 4; NAYS: Diane Ablonczy, Jay Aspin, Ron Cannan, Gordon O'Connor, Brad Trost, Bernard Trottier, Dave Van Kesteren — 7.

Bernard Trottier moved, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills, (a) the Clerk 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, 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.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Bernard Trottier.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Diane Ablonczy, Ron Cannan, Gordon O'Connor, Brad Trost, Bernard Trottier, Dave Van Kesteren — 6; NAYS: Denis Blanchette, Gerry Byrne, Anne-Marie Day, Pat Martin — 4.

On motion of Bernard Trottier, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated five (5) minutes for the questioner of each party, including the responses of the witnesses, as follows: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, and Conservative Party.

On motion of Ron Cannan, it was agreed, — That the Chair shall, at the start of a meeting where a number of witnesses belonging to the same organization will be appearing separately on the same study, canvass the Committee on the application of the Committee rule regarding time allocation for questioning of witnesses, in other words to determine whether the rounds of questioning by party should begin over again at the beginning when new witnesses arrive, or resume at the point they left off when the previous witness’s appearance concluded.

On motion of Bernard Trottier, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs, and one additional member, to be designated by the whip from the Conservative Party.

On motion of Pat Martin, 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.

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

On motion of Pat Martin, 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 Denis Blanchette, 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.

On motion of Bernard Trottier, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office or from their party at in camera meetings.

On motion of Anne-Marie Day, 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 or by one of their staff members.

On motion of Dave Van Kesteren, it was agreed, — That a notice of 48 hours, interpreted as two nights, be required before a member may move a substantive motion, unless it deals directly with the matter before the Committee at this time, provided that (a) this notice be emailed to the Committee Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; that (b) the notice be distributed by e-mail to members in both official languages by the Clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; that (c) notices received after the deadline hour be deemed to have been received during the next business day; and that (d) this rule does not prevent a member to give notice of a motion orally during a meeting of the Committee, in which case notice shall be deemed to have been given before the deadline that day.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the meeting on Thursday, October 31, 2013, be cancelled.

On motion of Bernard Trottier, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, instead of the regular scheduled meeting of the Committee; and that the meeting of Thursday, November 7, 2013, start with the consideration of the First Report of the Subcommittee.

At 4:57 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.