On motion of Arnold Chan, it was agreed, — That the three Whips be delegated the authority to act as the Striking Committee pursuant to Standing Orders 104, 113 and 114, and that they be authorized to present to the Chair, in a report signed by all three Whips, or their representatives, their unanimous recommendations for presentation to the House, on behalf of the Committee.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion moved by Arnold Chan, on Thursday, December 10, 2015, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two Government members.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Arnold Chan, David Christopherson, David de Burgh Graham, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Scott Reid, Blake Richards, Ruby Sahota, Jamie Schmale, Anita Vandenbeld — 9;

NAYS: — 0.

David de Burgh Graham moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business be composed of one (1) member from each recognized party and a Chair from the Government party; and that Ginette Petitpas Taylor be appointed Chair of the Subcommittee.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 0.

Anita Vandenbeld moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and one (1) member of the Government.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 0.

Arnold Chan moved, — 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 and Liberal;

for the second round, six (6) minutes be allocated in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative; followed by Conservative, five (5) minutes; and NDP, three (3) minutes.

At 12:37 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

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, seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Liberal;

for the second round, five (5) minutes be allocated in the following order: Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, Liberal; followed by NDP, three (3) minutes.

Ruby Sahota moved, — 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 and that witnesses be advised accordingly prior to appearing before the Committee.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 0.

David de Burgh Graham moved, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 0.

Anita Vandenbeld moved, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding one (1) representative per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 0.

Arnold Chan moved, — 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;

That the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages;

That 48 hours’ notice be calculated in the same manner as for the House; and

That the motions be submitted to the clerk no later than 4:00 p.m.

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

On motion of David de Burgh Graham, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff member present from their office and one staff member from their party at in camera meetings.

Ginette Petitpas Taylor 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.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 0.

On motion of Arnold Chan, it was agreed, — That the Government House Leader be invited to appear before the Committee on Thursday, January 28, 2016.

It was agreed, — That time be set aside, following the appearance of the Government House Leader on Thursday, January 28, 2016, for the Committee to consider matters relating to Committee business.