NDVA Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 1

Tuesday, October 26, 1999

The Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of organisation.

Members of the Committee present: Robert Bertrand, Hec Clouthier, Gordon Earle, Peter Goldring, Jim Hart, René Laurin, Judi Longfield, Pat O'Brien, John O'Reilly, Janko Peric, David Pratt, George Proud, Elsie Wayne, Bob Wood.

Acting Member present: Darrel Stinson for Art Hanger.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Wolf Koerner and Corinne McDonald, Research Officers.

The Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.

On motion of John O'Reilly, seconded by Janko Peric, Pat O'Brien was elected as Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Hec Clouthier, David Pratt was elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Darrel Stinson, Jim Hart was elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of routine motions.

On motion of George Proud, it was agreed, ─ That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Elsie Wayne, it was agreed, ─ That, at the discretion of the Chair, reasonable travelling expenses, as per the regulations established by the Board of Internal Economy, be paid to witnesses invited to appear before the Committee, and that payment of these expenses be limited to two (2) representatives per organization.

On motion of Janko Peric, it was agreed, ─ That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(4), whenever an Order in Council for appointment or a certificate of nomination for appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the resume of each appointee.

On motion of Gordon Earle, it was agreed, ─ That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least five (5) members are present, including two (2) members of the Opposition and that after fifteen (15) minutes the number be reduced to three (3) members including one (1) member of the Opposition.

On motion of George Proud, it was agreed, ─ That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement and, that during the questioning of witnesses, the Committee adopt the following new rotation for the questioning of witnesses:

1) Reform 7 minutes

2) B.Q. 7 minutes

3) Liberal 7 minutes

4) N.D.P. 7 minutes

5) P.C. 7 minutes

6) Reform 5 minutes

7) Liberal 5 minutes

8) from Opposition Parties to Liberal Party for the remainder of the time.

On motion of René Laurin, it was agreed, ─ That the Chair, the two Vice-chairs, the two Parliamentary Secretaries and a member from the B.Q., N.D.P. and P.C. parties do compose the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure.

On motion of George Proud, it was agreed, ─ That the Committee adopt a 24 hour notice period for motions, unless otherwise ordered by the Committee.

René Laurin moved, ─ That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents received from the public only once they have been translated in both official languages.

On motion of Judi Longfield, it was agreed, ─ That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the evidence taken by the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs in relation to its studies on "Contracting and Procurement Policy" and the "Future of the Reserves" during the First Session of the present Parliament, be deemed adduced by the Committee in the current session.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to.

At 3:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Eugene Morawski
Clerk of the Committee