BILI Committee Meeting

The Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament met at 12:12 p.m. this day, in Room 306, La Promenade Building, for the purpose of electing Joint Chairs, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Nicole Eaton, it was agreed, — That Marie-Paule Poulin (Charette) be elected Joint Chair (Senate) of the Committee.

On motion of Corneliu Chisu, it was agreed, — That Royal Galipeau be elected Joint Chair (House of Commons) of the Committee.

On motion of José Nunez-Melo, it was agreed, — That Carol Hugues be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Ted Hsu, it was agreed, — That Carolyn Bennett be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee in absentia.

On motion of Nicole Courtois Eaton, 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.

On motion of Carol Hughes, 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 five (5) minutes.

It was agreed, — That the Joint Clerks redraft Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure motion to better represent the numbers of each party in the Senate and in the House of Commons and that it be presented to the Committee at its next sitting for the Committee’s approval.

On motion of Michel Rivard, 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 Carol Hughes, 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.

Bob Zimmer moved, — That the Committee publish its proceedings.

Debate arose thereon.

Bob Zimmer moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “publish its proceedings” the following: “that in camera proceedings not be published”.

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

The motion, as agreed to, read as follows:

That the Committee publish its proceedings and that in camera proceedings not be published.

On motion of Nicole Courtois Eaton, 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 Nicole Courtois Eaton, 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 François Pilon, 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 Bob Zimmer, 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 Joint Chair (Senate) presented the First Report of the Committee which read as follows:

Your Committee recommends to the Senate that it 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 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.

Your Committee recommends:

(a) that its quorum be fixed at six members, provided that each House is represented, and a member from the opposition and a member from the government are present, whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken; and

b) that the joint chairs be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three members are present, including a member from the opposition and a member from the government, provided that each House is represented.

Your Committee further recommends to the Senate that it be empowered to sit during sittings and adjournments of the Senate.

Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses, reports, pursuant to Rule 104 of the Rules of the Senate, that the expenses of the Committee (Senate portion) during the 2nd Session of the 40th Parliament were as follows:

Professional and Other Services $0

Transport and Communications $0

All Other Expenses $0

Total $0

On motion of Bob Zimmer, it was agreed, — That the Committee adopt its First Report and present it to the Senate and to the House of Commons.

At 12:53 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Joint Chairs.