RNNR Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Natural Resources met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Alan Tonks, it was agreed, — That Leon Benoit be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Alan Tonks, it was agreed, — That Lloyd St. Amand be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Claude DeBellefeuille, it was agreed, — That Catherine Bell be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Leon Benoit took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the study of Routine Motions.

On motion of Ken Boshcoff, 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.

Catherine Bell 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 4 members are present, including 2 member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Bradley R. Trost moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “members of the opposition” the following: “and 1 member of the government”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bradley R. Trost and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

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

On motion of Ken Boshcoff, 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 Lloyd St. Amand, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized, at the discretion of the Chair, to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of Bradley R. Trost, 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.

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

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of David Anderson, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “in camera meeting” the following: “who may be of the member's staff, the research bureau, the House leader's office, or the Whip's office”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting who may be of the member's staff, the research bureau, the house leader's office, or the whip's office.

David Anderson moved, — That in camera meetings be transcribed and that the transcription be kept with the Clerk of the Committee for later consultation by members of Parliament, and that these transcripts be destroyed at the end of the session.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 1; NAYS: 8.

Claude DeBellefeuille moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

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

David Anderson moved, — That forty-eight (48) hours notice shall 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 period of notice be calculated from the time the motion has been distributed to the members of the committee by the Clerk of the Committee; and that the motion shall be distributed to members in both official languages; and that all motions received by the Clerk shall be placed upon the agenda of the first committee meeting following the period of notice.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Ken Boshcoff, it was agreed, — 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.

Bradley R. Trost moved, — That all motions shall be moved by their sponsor within two (2) meetings of their first being listed on the agenda as Committee business, failing which the motion shall be deemed abandoned by the mover and shall be dispensed with and may no longer be subject to Committee consideration.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

On motion of Mike Allen, it was agreed, — 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 as follows:

Round 1 (7 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party

Round 2 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party

Round 3 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party

Round 4 (5 minutes): Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

It was agreed, — That the Minister be invited to appear for the first hour at the next Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 in relation to Bill C-5, Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act; and that Department of Natural Resources officials be invited for the last hour of the meeting.

It was agreed, — That the Minister be invited to appear in relation to the study on Supplementary Estimates (A) 2007-2008: Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 15a and 30a under NATURAL RESOURCES.

It was agreed, — That Members of the Committee submit to the Clerk a list of potential witnesses in relation to its study of Bill C-5, Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act; by noon on Monday, November 19, 2007.

It was agreed, — That Members of the Committee submit to the Clerk a list of potential topics for future business, by Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

At 10:34 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.