NDDN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on National Defence met at 3:38 p.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Bryon Wilfert, it was agreed, — That Rick Casson be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Keith Martin, it was agreed, — That Bryon Wilfert be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That Claude Bachand be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Rick Casson took the Chair.

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.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the Parliamentary Secretary be added to the composition of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was negatived.

Denis Coderre moved, — That each party be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Denis Coderre and it was agreed to.

Steven Blaney moved, — That an additional member from the government be added to the composition of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Steven Blaney and it was negatived.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the Parliamentary Secretary be allowed to sit at the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure as an advisor without a voting right.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was negatived.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party and that each party be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person.

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

On motion 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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the number of members present for a reduced quorum be increased to four to include one member of each recognized party.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was negatived.

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 (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

It was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

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.

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 made at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion that, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting

Laurie Hawn moved, — That each party be allowed to have one staff member at all in camera meetings.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn 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 all in camera meetings and that each party be allowed to have one staff member at the meetings.

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

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.

It was agreed, — That 48 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 that, at the discretion of the Chair, witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement;

1st round (7 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Bloc Québécois

— NDP

— Conservative

2nd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Bloc Québécois

— Conservative

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Liberal

3rd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Bloc Québécois

— Conservative

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Liberal

— NDP

And that when a minister is in attendance the order and time allocation for questioning witnesses be the same as above, with the exception that in the first round of questioning ten (10) minutes be allocated to each questioner of each party.

Laurie Hawn moved, — That the second round of questioning of witnesses by members be amended by ending with the Conservative and that the third round of questioning be identical as the first round of questioning.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Laurie Hawn and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, at the discretion of the Chair, witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement;

And that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows:

1st round (7 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Bloc Québécois

— NDP

— Conservative

2nd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Bloc Québécois

— Conservative

— Liberal

— Conservative

— Conservative

3rd round (5 minutes each)

— Liberal

— Bloc Québécois

— NDP

— Conservative

And that when a minister is in attendance the order and time allocation for questioning witnesses be the same as above, with the exception that in the first round of questioning ten (10) minutes be allocated to each questioner of each party .

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

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Minister of National Defence and his Officials to appear on Supplementary Estimates B 2008-2009 on Monday February 9, 2009.

At 4:39 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.