On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That Yasmin Ratansi be elected chair of the committee.

At 8:55 a.m., Yasmin Ratansi took the chair.

On motion of Scott Aitchison, it was agreed, — That Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay be elected first vice-chair of the committee.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, 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 Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members, namely the chair and one member from each recognized party; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government, but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: for the first round: Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party. For the second round and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning be as follows: Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Conservative Party, five (5) minutes, Liberal Party, five (5) minutes, Bloc Québécois, two and a half (2.5), New Democratic Party, two and a half (2.5) minutes.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

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

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to have one staff member at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each House officer's office be allowed to be present.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, 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 their staff.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, it was agreed, — That a forty-eight (48) hours notice, interpreted as two (2) nights, shall be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that (1) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; that (2) the motion be distributed 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; and that (3) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day and that when the committee is travelling on official business, no substantive motions may be moved.

On motion of Francis Scarpaleggia, 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 with the clerk 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 of 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.

Peter Schiefke moved, — For the second meeting of the committee, that the committee invite senior officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada to provide a briefing on the responsibilities and activities of the Department and answer questions for the duration of the meeting. Environment and Climate Change Canada officials be given up to thirty (30) minutes for the briefing and that the clerk ask the witnesses to provide written material in both official languages in advance of the meeting if possible. For the third meeting of the committee, that the committee invite senior officials from Parks Canada to provide a briefing on the responsibilities and activities of the Agency and answer questions for one hour. Parks Canada officials be given up to fifteen (15) minutes for opening remarks and that the clerk ask the witnesses to provide written material in both official languages in advance of the meeting if possible. And that the committee invite senior officials from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to provide a briefing on the responsibilities and activities of the Agency and answer questions for one hour. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada officials be given up to fifteen (15) minutes for opening remarks and that the clerk ask the witnesses to provide written material in both official languages in advance of the meeting if possible.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Laurel Collins moved, — That any motion to go in camera should be debatable and amendable, and that the committee may only meet in camera for the following purposes: (a) to discuss administrative matters of the committee, (b) a draft report, (c) briefings concerning national security, and (d) privacy.

And furthermore, minutes of in camera meetings should reflect on the results of all votes taken by the committee while in camera, including how each member voted when a recorded vote is requested.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate on the motion be now adjourned.