ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 9:03 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Bob Mills, seconded by Denis Paradis, it was agreed, — That Alan Tonks be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Alan Tonks, seconded by Yasmin Ratansi, it was agreed, — That Lee Richardson be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Lee Richardson, seconded by Jeff Watson, it was agreed, — That Bernard Bigras be elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

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

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 five (5) members are present including two (2) members of the opposition.

On motion of Bob Mills, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement .

Bryon Wilfert moved, — That, at the discretion of the chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for the first round, five (5) minutes for the second round and that the rotation be as follows:

1st Round (10 minutes)

- Conservative Party

- Bloc Quebecois

- Liberal Party

- New Democratic Party

2nd Round (5 minutes)

- Alternate between the Opposition and the Government.

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

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Bernard Bigras, 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, and that the Clerk control the distribution of all documents in Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to purchase gifts on behalf of the Committee for visiting delegations to Canada meeting with the Committee or for foreign hosts when the Committee is travelling abroad.

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. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

It was agreed, — That the Committee create a Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure composed of the Chair, both Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary, and a representative of the New Democratic Party.

On motion of Lee Richardson, it was agreed, — That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of the Department of Environment to appear at a televised meeting, if possible, of the Committee.

On motion of Lee Richardson, 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 televised meeting, if possible, of the Committee.

At 9:54 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.