CC30 Committee Meeting

The Legislative Committee on Bill C-30 met at 10:05 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Laurie Hawn, presiding.

Nathan Cullen moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair and one member from each party.

Debate arose thereon.

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

On motion of Nathan Cullen, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

Nathan Cullen moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least 3 members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Bernard Bigras moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words "3 members" for "5 members" and "1 member of the opposition" with "3 members of the opposition representing at least 2 opposition parties; and 2 representatives of the government".

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bernard Bigras and it was agreed to.

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

Nathan Cullen moved, — 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 5 minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and Opposition parties.

Debate arose thereon.

Bernard Bigras moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “alternating between government and opposition parties” with the words “according to the same formula”.

Debate arose thereon.

Brian Jean moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “according to the same formula” with the words “alternating between the parties”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Brian Jean and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bernard Bigras and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 9.

Blair Wilson moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Opposition parties and Government” with the words “the parties until each member has had an opportunity to question the witnesses”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Blair Wilson and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: John Godfrey, Brian Jean, Fabian Manning, Christian Paradis, Karen Redman, Francis Scarpaleggia, Mark Warawa, Jeff Watson, Blair Wilson — 9; NAYS: Nathan Cullen, Marcel Lussier — 2.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 2.

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding 2 representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Karen Redman, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

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

Mark Warawa moved, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Debate arose thereon.

Bernard Bigras moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “48 hours” with the words “24 hours” and that the words "no later than 3:00 p.m." be added after the words "Clerk of the Committee".

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bernard Bigras and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 9.

John Godfrey moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “48 hours” with the words “24 hours” and that the words "a full 24 hours before the beginning of the meeting at which it is to be considered" be added after the words "in both official languages".

Debate arose thereon.

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

On motion of Mark Warawa, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

John Godfrey moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Karen Redman, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “and that one representative from each party's whip's office be allowed to attend” after the words “one staff person”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of John Godfrey, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Mark Warawa moved, — That amendments to Bill C-30 be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee 48 hours prior to clause by clause consideration.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Bernard Bigras, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “without limiting the ability to present additional amendments at the meeting itself” after the words “clause by clause consideration”.

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

It was agreed, — That members submit the names of potential witnesses to the Clerk of the Committee by January 19, 2007.

It was agreed, — That the meetings in relation to the work of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-30 be televised.

At 12:07 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.