The Chair presented the Fourth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:
It was agreed that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, and Thursday February 10, 2011 be devoted to the study of the question of privilege related to the premature disclosure on November 18, 2010, of the confidential draft report on the pre-budget consultations of the Standing Committee on Finance by an employee of the member for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, and that the committee invite the following witness to appear: Karen Sheperd, Commissioner of Lobbying; Louis Bard, Chief Information Officer of the House of Commons; Russell Ullyatt, as an individual; and Lynn Hamilton, as an individual.
It was agreed that the meetings scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, Thursday, February 17, Tuesday, March 1, Thursday, March 3, Tuesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 10, 2011 be devoted to the study of the report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada entitled “Responding to Changing Needs - Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Following the 40th General Election” with the intention of completing the study and presenting a report to the House and that the Committee should move on to other items on their work plan should the study conclude earlier.
It was agreed that members suggested witness lists be submitted to the clerk by Friday, February 11, 2011 for the following studies: Conventions concerning Question Period in the House of Commons raised by the motion number M-517 of the Hon. Michael Chong, Wellington-Halton Hills; and the issue of the appearance of exempt staff and staff of parliamentary secretaries as witnesses before parliamentary committees.
It was agreed, that if necessary, the committee consider a report to the House requesting an extension for the consideration of motion M-517.