LIPA Committee Meeting

The Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament met at 1:06 p.m. this day, in Room 112-N Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1)of the House and Rule 88 of the Senate.

On motion of Senator Michael J. Forrestall, it was agreed, - That Yves Morin be elected Joint Chair (Senate) of the Committee in absentia.

On motion of John O'Reilly, it was agreed, — That Stan Dromisky be elected Joint-Chair (House of Commons) of the Committee.

On motion of Elsie Wayne, it was agreed, — That Norman Doyle be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Stan Dromisky took the Chair.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Joint Chairs.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of six (6) members including the Joint-Chairs, the Vice-Chair, and a representative of the Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, and the Conservative Party; that the members of the Subcommittee be named after the usual consultations, and that the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Joint Committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and; that the Subcommittee reports its decisions to the Joint Committee .

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the quorum be fixed at seven (7) members provided that both Houses are represented including one (1) member from the opposition and one (1) member from the government whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken, and that Joint Chairs be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least four (4) members are present, including a member from the opposition and a member from the government.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and Opposition parties.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That either Joint Chair or, in accordance with the direction of the Joint Chairs, either Joint Clerk, be authorized to approve payment of expenditures of the Committee.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; at the discretion of the Joint-Chairs and as per the regulations established by the Board of Internal Economy and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets & Administration.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Joint-Clerks of the Committee be authorized to distribute only documents available in both official languages.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Joint-Clerks of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Joint-Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That when the Joint Chairs and the Vice-Chair are unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the committee, the Joint Chairs shall designate a member of the committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting and such an acting Chair shall be vested with all the powers of the Joint Chairs at or during the said meeting.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament print the number of copies needed of its Proceedings.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Joint Chair (Senate) be authorized to obtain Senate permission to sit during Senate sittings.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Joint Chairs be authorized to report to their respective Chambers, that the Committee be authorized to assist the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons in directing and controlling the Library of Parliament; and that it be authorized to make recommendations to the Speaker of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Commons regarding the governance of the Library and the proper expenditure of moneys voted by Parliament for the purchase of books, maps or other articles to be deposited therein.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That the Committee adopt its First Report and that the Joint Chairs be authorized to table the same in their respective Chamber.

On motion of Paul Harold Macklin, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee ; and That the motion be filed with the Joint-Clerks of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

At 1:12 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Joint-Chairs.