HUMA Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 1

Tuesday, February 20, 2001

The Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 11:00 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair and two Vice-Chairs, pursuant to Standing Orders 106(1) and (2).

Member(s) of the Committee present: Peter Adams, Jeannot Castonguay, Paul Crête, Georges Farrah, Raymonde Folco, Monique Guay, Dale Johnston, Judi Longfield, Joe McGuire, Val Meredith, Anita Neville, Carol Skelton, Diane St-Jacques, Greg Thompson, Alan Tonks.

Acting Member(s) present: Yvon Godin for Libby Davies, Larry McCormick for Tony Ianno and James Moore for Jim Gouk.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Kevin Kerr, Julie MacKenzie and Bill Young, Research Officers.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(1) and (2), the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.

Val Meredith moved, -- That Dale Johnston be elected chair of thisCommittee.

The question being put on the motion, it was negatived.

On motion of Larry McCormick, it was agreed, -- That Peter Adams be elected Chair of the Committee.

Accordingly, Peter Adams took the chair.

On motion of Judi Longfield, it was agreed, -- That Diane St-Jacques be elected Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Monique Guay moved, -- That Paul Crête be elected Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of James Moore, it was agreed, -- That Val Meredith be elected Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Committee proceeded to consider routine motions.

It was agreed, -- That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officer(s) from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chairman.

It was agreed, -- That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and at the discretion of the Chairman, reasonable travelling and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses invited to appear before the Committee, up to a maximum of two representatives for any one organization.

It was agreed, -- That the Committee authorize payment of child care expenses for witnesses appearing before the Committee or one of its Sub-Committees and that such expenses be paid from the Witness Expenses item in the Committee’s budget for the fiscal year.

Raymonde Folco moved, -- That the Steering Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of nine members including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour, one other member from the government and one from each of the other parties not represented, to be named after the usual consultations with the whips.

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

It was agreed, -- That the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings in order to receive evidence from witnesses when a quorum is not present, provided that five members be present and provided that at least one member of the opposition be present with the provision that, in the case of the absence of either government or opposition members, the Chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as five members are present.

It was agreed, -- That the Committee authorize the Chairman, in consultation the Clerk, to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals, from time to time, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee’s budget.

It was agreed, -- That the Clerk circulate to all Members of the Committee Order in Council appointments referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

It was agreed, -- That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents received from the public only once they have been translated into both official languages.

Judi Longfield moved, -- That one transcript of all Committee meetings held in camera be produced to be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation.

Paul Crête moved, -- That the motion be amended by adding after the word "consultation" the following: "and, -- That the personal staff of Committee Members and party researchers be enabled to participate in in camera meetings."

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

After further debate, the question being put on the main motion as amended, it was agreed to.

Anita Neville moved, -- That the Committee will attempt to meet on Tuesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and on Thursday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

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

Judi Longfield moved, -- That unless there is unanimous consent, forty-eight (48) hours written notice must be given to the members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee.

Paul Crête moved, -- That the motion be amended by replacing "forty-eight (48) hours" with "twenty-four (24) hours".

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived.

Alan Tonks moved, -- That the motion be amended by replacing "forty-eight (48) hours" with "two (2)" days.

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

After further debate, the question being put on the main motion as amended, it was agreed to.

Val Meredith moved, -- That the Committee establish a rotation of questioning of witnesses as follows: Canadian Alliance; Liberal; Canadian Alliance; Bloc Québecois; Liberal; New Democratic; Liberal; Progressive Conservative.

After debate, by unanimous consent, it was agreed, -- That the motion be withdrawn.

Greg Thompson moved, -- That the budget of the Committee for witness expenses in the amount of $48,400.00 for the budget period February 20 – March 31, 2001 be approved.

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

It was agreed, -- That the Committee proceed to sit In Camera.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), the Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters relating to the future business of the Committee.

At 1:28 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Gary Sokolyk

Acting Clerk of the Committee