ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Paul Zed, it was agreed, — That Tom Wappel be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Bruce Stanton, it was agreed, — That David Tilson be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Jean-Yves Laforest, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

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

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — 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 three members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

On motion of Bruce Stanton, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten minutes for their opening statement and that additional information be deposited with the Clerk of the Committee.

On motion of David Tilson, it was agreed, — That during the first round of questioning of witnesses seven minutes be allocated to each party in the following order: Liberal, Bloc Quebecois, New Democratic Party, Conservative; and that in subsequent rounds 5 minutes be allocated to each Party on each round in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Quebecois, Conservative, New Democratic Party, Liberal, Conservative .

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

On motion of Paul Zed, 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 Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That 24 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive 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.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, 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.

On motion of Carole Lavallée, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person or by a member of the member's party at an in camera meeting.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, 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.

At 4:04 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.