OGGO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 8:59 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

Walt Lastewka moved, — That Paul Szabo be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Walt Lastewka, it was agreed, — That Paul Szabo be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

André Harvey moved, — That Robert Lanctôt be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of André Harvey, it was agreed, — That Robert Lanctôt be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Paul Szabo moved, — That Paul Forseth be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Paul Szabo, it was agreed, — That Paul Forseth be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Paul Szabo took the Chair.

On motion of Walt Lastewka, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more researchers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Sarkis Assadourian, 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 three (3) members are present including a member of the opposition.

On motion of Lynne Yelich, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization, at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Walt Lastewka, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given [10] minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated [7] minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter [3] minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between Government and Opposition parties.

On motion of Anita Neville, it was agreed, — That each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all such staff.

On motion of Sarkis Assadourian, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages.

It was agreed, --That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee; and that, these transcripts be destroyed at the end of the session.

On motion of Walt Lastewka, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

By unanimous consent, on motion of John Duncan, it was agreed, — That, notwithstanding the 48 hour notice requirement, whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are referred to Committee, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, and that if possible, the meeting be televised.

By unanimous consent, on motion of John Duncan, it was agreed, — That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, and that if possible, the meeting be televised.

At 9:19 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.