On motion of Marc Miller, it was agreed, — That Hon. Robert D. Nault be elected Chair of the Committee.

Hon. Robert D. Nault took the Chair.

On motion of Peter Kent, it was agreed, — That Dean Allison be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That Hélène Laverdière be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

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.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members: the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two government members.

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 and one member of the government, but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.

It was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; and that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: for the first round of questioning, six (6) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Liberal; for the second round, six (6) minutes be allocated in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Liberal; followed by five (5) minutes for the Conservatives and three (3) minutes for the NDP.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

Hélène Laverdière moved, — That an extra minute be added to the speaking time of the New Democratic Party in the second round increasing the time from three (3) minutes to four (4) minutes.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

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; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each party be allowed to be present.

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 or by their staff.

It was agreed, — That forty-eight (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;

That, for motions requiring forty-eight (48) hours’ notice, the Chair be authorized to defer consideration until fifteen (15) minutes prior to the adjournment time for the meeting as indicated in the notice of meeting and that these motions be received no later than 4:00 p.m.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase gifts to be presented to foreign hosts and visiting delegations.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Orders 108(1) and 108(2), a Subcommittee on International Human Rights to be chaired by a member elected by the Subcommittee, be established to inquire into matters relating to the promotion of respect for international human rights, as may be referred to it by the Committee;

That the Subcommittee be chaired by a member of the government and be composed of seven (7) members or associate members of which four (4) shall be government members, two (2) shall be from the Conservative Party, and one (1) from the New Democratic Party, to be named following the usual consultations with the Whips;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records, to receive evidence, to sit during a time when the Committee is not sitting in Ottawa, to sit when the Committee is sitting outside the Parliamentary Precinct and to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned; and

That the Chair of the Subcommittee meet with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Committee at their mutual discretion.

Hélène Laverdière gave notice of the following motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Orders 108(1) and 108(2), a Subcommittee on Arms Control to be chaired by a member elected by the Subcommittee, be established to inquire into matters relating to Canadian arms exports and arms export permits;

That the Subcommittee be composed of seven (7) members or associate members of which four (4) shall be government members, two (2) shall be Conservative Party members, and one (1) from the New Democratic Party, to be named following the usual consultations with the Whips;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records, to receive evidence, to sit during a time when the Committee is not sitting in Ottawa, to sit when the Committee is sitting outside the Parliamentary Precinct and to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned; and

That the Chair of the Subcommittee meet with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Committee at their mutual discretion.

Hélène Laverdière gave notice of the following motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development undertake a study on Women, Peace and Security; including an examination of the efforts of the Government of Canada to implement and support the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on women, peace and security (including UNSCR 1325 and 1889 on the participation of women in peace processes; UNSCR 1820, 1888 and 1960 on sexual violence in conflict; and UNSCR 2122 on women’s leadership in conflict resolution and peacebuilding); and report its findings back to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Chair invite appropriate officials from Global Affairs Canada to appear before the Committee as soon as possible and that they provide members with an update on current concerns within their mandate related to foreign affairs and international development.