BILI Committee Meeting

The Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament met at 12:04 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Rob Anders, it was agreed, — That the Hon. Percy Downe be elected Joint Chair (Senate) of the Committee.

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

Stephen Greene moved, — That Rob Anders be elected Joint Chair (House of Commons) of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, the Joint Clerk (House of Commons) of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Rob Anders, it was agreed, — That the Hon. Mauril Bélanger be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Jean Lapointe, it was agreed, — That Louis Plamondon be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Rob Anders took the Chair.

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

On motion of Brad Trost, it was agreed, — That witnesses appearing before the Committee be given ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement and that during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be 5 minutes.

On motion of Brad Trost, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Joint Chairs, the Vice-Chairs, and three (3) other members of the Committee representing, from the Senate, the Conservative Party, and from the House of Commons, the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party, to be designated after the usual consultations; and that the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.

On motion of Michael L. MacDonald, it was agreed, — That the quorum be fixed at six (6) members, provided that each House is represented, and that a member from the opposition and that a member from the government are present whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken; and that the Joint Chairs be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member from the opposition and a member from the government, and provided that each House is represented.

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee only documents that are available in both official languages.

On motion of Scott Armstrong, it was agreed, — That the Committee publish its proceedings and that the Joint Chairs be authorized to set the number of printed copies to meet demand.

On motion of Dona Cadman, 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 Devinder Shory, it was agreed, — That, at the discretion of the Joint Chairs, the Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and that payment will take place upon application, but that the Joint Chairs be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.

On motion of Roger Gaudet, it was agreed, — That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

On motion of Dona Cadman, it was agreed, — That each member of the Committee be allowed to have staff present at in camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.

On motion of Gurbax S. Malhi, it was agreed, — 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 and that the notice of motion be filed with the Joint Clerks of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report on the quorum and mandate of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the draft report be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the Joint Chairs present the report to the Senate and the House of Commons.

At 12:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.