HESA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Health met in camera at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Joy Smith, 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 Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one (1) member from the opposition and one (1) member from the government; and that in the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside of the Parliamentary Precinct, the Committee members in attendance be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

It was agreed, — That only the clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents, including motions, to the members of the Committee; that, except in cases where there is unanimous consent to proceed otherwise, all documents distributed amongst the Committee members by the clerk be in both official languages; and that the clerk advise all witnesses appearing before the Committee of this requirement.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee budget; and that, subject to availability, the working meals of the Committee be balanced and nutritious.

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 in attendance be permitted to have one (1) staff member present at in camera meetings, and that each party be permitted to have one (1) staff member from the Whip or House Leader’s Office present at in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That one (1) copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee and by a member of their staff.

It was agreed, — That 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; that the notice of motion be filed with the clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages; and that motions received by 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 2:00 p.m. on Friday be distributed to members on the same day.

It was agreed, — That witnesses be allowed up to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statements; and that during the questioning of witnesses seven (7) minutes be allotted for the first round of questioning and, in the second and subsequent rounds of questioning, five (5) minutes be allotted for each questioner.

It was agreed, — That the order of questions for the first round of questioning be as follows: New Democratic Party (NDP), Conservative Party (CPC), Liberal Party, CPC; that questioning during the second round should alternate between the opposition members and the government members in the following fashion: NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, NDP, CPC, CPC, Liberal Party, based on the principle that each Committee member should have the opportunity to question the witnesses; and that if time permits, further rounds should repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of five (5) members including the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a member of the Conservative Party; that quorum for the Subcommittee consist of at least three (3) members, including one (1) member from the government and one (1) member from the Official Opposition; and that each member of the Subcommittee be permitted to have one (1) staff member present at any meetings of the Subcommittee, and that each party be permitted to have one (1) staff member from its Whip or House Leader’s Office present at any meetings of the Subcommittee.

It was agreed, — 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.

It was agreed, — That the Committee undertake a study of no more than ten (10) meetings on the Government's role in addressing prescription drug abuse; that the Committee begin this study on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, with a briefing from government officials; that the study focus on the following three (3) areas associated with this subject: (a) the current scope of the problem, including what populations are most at-risk; (b) best practices for prevention and raising awareness of the problem; and, (c) promising strategies to address this issue at the community level; that business referred to the Committee by the House such as Government legislation or Estimates will take precedence in scheduling over this study; and that the Committee report its findings to the House.

It was agreed, — That, after the study on the government’s role in addressing prescription drug abuse is completed, the Committee undertake a ten (10) meetings study of best practices and federal barriers related to the scope of practice and skills training of healthcare professionals, provided that this study will focus on three (3) areas: (a) the federal role in the scope of practice of Canadian healthcare professionals; (b) highlight best practices on the use of scope of practice, both in Canada and internationally; and (c) federal role and support for skills training and curriculum development.

It was agreed, — That, with regard to the routine motion concerning reimbursement of witnesses’ travel and living expenses, the clerk confirm whether witnesses’ expenses related to child care and personal care attendants are eligible under the Financial Management and Policy Guide for Committees, and report back to the Committee at its next meeting.

It was agreed, — That the clerk distribute to the members of the Committee the report of the Special Committee on the Non-Medical Use of Drugs (37th Parliament, 2nd Session).

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