LIBI Committee Meeting

The Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament met at 9:19 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1) and Rule 88 of the Senate.

On motion of Raymond Simard, it was agreed, — That Marilyn Trenholme Counsell be elected Joint Chair (Senate) of the Committee.

The Clerk (House of Commons) of the Committee presided over the election of a Joint Chair (House of Commons).

On motion of Russ Powers, it was agreed, — That Susan Kadis be elected Joint Chair (House of Commons) of the Committee.

On motion of Peter Goldring, it was agreed, — That Maurice Vellacott be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, 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 Maurice Vellacott, 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 report its decisions to the Joint Committee from time to time.

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, 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 Maurice Vellacott, 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 Maurice Vellacott, 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 and Administration.

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

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

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, 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 designate a member of the committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting and that such an acting Chair be vested with all the powers of the Joint Chairs at or during the said meeting.

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

On motion of Maurice Vellacott, it was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, 48 hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; that the motion be filed with the Joint Clerks of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages; and that, upon receipt of the notice, the Joint Clerks put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

At 9:36 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Joint Chairs.