HUMA Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 1

Tuesday, November 5, 2002

The Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 3:48 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair and two Vice-Chairs, pursuant to Standing Orders 106(1), (2) and (3).

Member(s) of the Committee present: Libby Davies, Norman Doyle, R. John Efford, Peter Goldring, Jim Gouk, Monique Guay, Tony Ianno, Judi Longfield, Serge Marcil, Raymond Simard, Monte Solberg, Larry Spencer, Alan Tonks, Suzanne Tremblay.

Acting Member(s) present: Robert Bertrand for Gurbax Malhi, Anita Neville for Diane St-Jacques and Marlene Jennings for Raymonde Folco.

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

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

On motion of Eugène Bellemare, it was agreed, -- That Judi Longfield be elected Chair of the Committee.

Accordingly Judi Longfield was duly elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of John R. Efford, it was agreed, -- That Eugène Bellemare be elected Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Jim Gouk moved, -- That Monte Solberg be elected Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Anita Neville moved, -- That Suzanne Tremblay be elected Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), a secret ballot was conducted.  Monte Solberg was elected Vice-Chair (Opposition).

Judi Longfield took the Chair and the Committee proceeded to consider routine motions.

On motion of Alan Tonks

It was agreed, -- That the Committee retain the services of one or more Research Officer from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its works, 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.

It was agreed, -- 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.

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 is 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 with 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 in both official languages.

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

It was agreed, -- That the personal staff of Committee Members and party researchers be enabled to participate in in camera meetings.

It was agreed, -- That the Committee will attempt to meet on Tuesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and Thursday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

It was agreed, -- That unless there is unanimous consent, two days written notice must be given to the members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee.

On motion of Libby Davies, it was agreed, -- That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) (a)(b), a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities be established, and that pursuant to 108(2) and (3)(c) the Sub-Committee study among other matters, the proposing, promoting, monitoring and assessment of initiatives aimed at the integration and equality of disabled persons in all sectors of Canadian society;

That the Sub-Committee be composed of nine members or associate members of the Committee namely: five government members and four members representing the opposition parties to be named after the usual consultations with the whips and filed with the Clerk;

That the Subcommittee report thereon its findings and recommendations to the Committee;

That the Subcommittee be empowered, except when the House otherwise orders, to send for persons, papers and records, to sit while the House is sitting, to receive evidence, to sit only during a time when the Standing Committee is not sitting, unless otherwise authorized by the Standing Committee, to print from time to time such papers as may be ordered by it and to authorize the Chair to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including the opposition;

That the Committee authorize the allocation of sufficient funds from its budget to the Subcommittee for the payment of reasonable travelling and living expenses to witnesses appearing before the Subcommittee;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to retain the services of research officers from the Library of Parliament;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to retain professional services as may be required;

That when the Chair of the Subcommittee is unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the Subcommittee, he shall

designate a member of the Subcommittee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting;

That substitution of members on the Subcommittee be in accordance with Standing Order114.

On motion of Monique Guay, it was agreed, -- That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) (a)(b), a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities be established, and that pursuant to 108(2) the Sub-Committee study issues regarding the future of children and youth in Canada;

That the Sub-Committee be composed of nine members or associate members of the Committee namely: five government members and four members representing the opposition parties to be named after the usual consultations with the whips and filed with the Clerk;

That the Subcommittee report thereon its findings and recommendations to the Committee;

That the Subcommittee be empowered, except when the House otherwise orders, to send for persons, papers and records, to sit while the House is sitting, to receive evidence, to sit only during a time when the Standing Committee is not sitting, unless otherwise authorized by the Standing Committee, to print from time to time such papers as may be ordered by it and to authorize the Chair to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including the opposition;

That the Committee authorize the allocation of sufficient funds from its budget to the Subcommittee for the payment of reasonable travelling and living expenses to witnesses appearing before the Subcommittee;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to retain the services of research officers from the Library of Parliament;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to retain professional services as may be required;

That when the Chair of the Subcommittee is unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the Subcommittee, he shall

designate a member of the Subcommittee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting;

That substitution of members on the Subcommittee be in accordance with Standing Order114.

At 4:13 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Danielle Belisle

Clerk of the Committee