AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met at 9:09 a.m. this day, in Room 269 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Lloyd St. Amand, it was agreed, — That Nancy Karetak-Lindell be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Carol Skelton, it was agreed, — That Jeremy Harrison be elected as Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of André Bellavance, it was agreed, — That Bernard Cleary be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell took the Chair.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the study of routine motions.

Gary Lunn moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of four (4) members, the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, and one (1) member of the New Democratic Party.

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

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

Sue Barnes moved, — 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 and a member of the government.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Jim Prentice, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “other than the Chair” after the word “Government”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Pat Martin moved, — That an organization be given up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair for their opening statement; and that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated nine (9) minutes for the questioner of the official opposition, seven (7) minutes for the questioner of the other parties, starting with the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, and that thereafter three (3) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner (alternating between Opposition parties and Government).

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “fifteen (15) minutes by “ten (10) minutes”, by replacing “three (3) minutes” by “five (5) minutes”, by adding after the word “ each subsequent questioner” the following “until each member had the chance to question the witness (alternating between the Opposition Parties and the Government) , and leaving at the discretion of the Chair the possibility to reduce de time limits of the second round of questions if time is running out”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

On motion of Gary Lunn, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for a third representative be at the discretion of the Chair.

Gary Lunn moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Bernard Cleary, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “languages” the following: “and that no document from a witness be distributed without the Clerk's approval; but, at the discretion of the Chair, the question could be discussed by the members of the Committee and, afterwards, document could be distributed if it receives unanimous consent”.

On motion of Gary Lunn, it was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

On motion of Gary Lunn, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of Sue Barnes, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Sue Barnes, 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.

On motion of Sue Barnes, it was agreed, — That whenever the Main Estimates or Supplementary Estimates are referred to the Committee, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee and, if possible, that it be televised.

On motion of David Smith, 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, if possible, that it be televised.

Gary Lunn moved, — That, except for amendments to bills, substantive motion be considered by the Committee only if notice has been given before the beginning of the meeting; and that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

It was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, twenty-four (24) 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.

Bernard Cleary moved, — That the Committee invites the Kanesatake Grand Chief, James Gabriel, to testify as soon as possible to review the situation of the elections.

It was agreed, — That the study of the motion submitted by Bernard Cleary be deferred to the next meeting.

It was agreed, — That the Committee study future business on Thursday, October 21, 2004.

At 11:00 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.