HUMA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 9:08 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Patrick Brown, it was agreed, — That Dean Allison be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Geoff Regan, it was agreed, — That Jean-Claude D'Amours be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of France Bonsant, it was agreed, — That Yves Lessard be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Dean Allison took the Chair.

On motion of Denis Coderre, 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.

On motion of Denis Coderre, 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 Denis Coderre, 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 Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and one member of the New Democratic Party.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That unless there is unanimous consent, two days written notice must be given before any new item of business be considered by the Committee.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Chair, in consultation with the Clerk, to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals, from time to time and that the cost of these meals be charged to the Committee's budget.

On motion of Denis Coderre, 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.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that one member of the opposition is present.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to call the meeting to order no sooner than 15 minutes after the time indicated on the notice as long as four (4) members are present.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of witnesses be reimbursed.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Clerk circulates to all Members of the Committee, Order in Council appointments referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed on division, — That in hearing evidence, the witnesses be allowed a maximum of ten (10) minutes for their presentation and that the rounds of questioning be as follows:

First Round (time includes Question & Answer) A. Liberal Party - 7 minutes B. Bloc Quebecois - 7 minutes C. New Democratic Party - 7 minutes D. Conservative Party- 7 minutes.

Second Round (times includes Question & Answer) A. Liberal Party - 5 minutes B. Bloc Quebecois - 5 minutes C. New Democratic Party - 5 minutes D. Conservative Party- 5 minutes.

Third Round (times includes Question & Answer) Back and forth between the opposition and the government, at the discretion of the Chair – 5 minutes.

On motion of Lynne Yelich, it was agreed, — 1. 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 a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee, which is televised if possible.

2. 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, which is televised if possible.

At 9:33 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.