On motion of Michael Dennis Duffy, it was agreed, — That Lucie Moncion be elected Joint Chair (Senate) of the Committee.

At 12:12 p.m., Hon. Lucie Moncion took the Chair.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That Gigand Sikand be elected Joint Chair (House of Commons) of the Committee.

At 12:14 p.m., Gigand Sikand took the Chair.

On motion of Guy Lauzon, it was agreed, — That Dave Van Kesteren be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Robert-Falcon Ouellette, it was agreed, — That Anne Minh-Thu Quach be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Terry M. Mercer moved, — That the Parliamentary Budget Officer be invited to appear before the Committee to review the expenses with respect to government spending that relates to the Library of Parliament.

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

On motion of Michael Levitt, 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 Michael Levitt, 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.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That the quorum be fixed at six (6) members, provided that each House is represented, and that a (1) member from a non-government party or recognized parliamentary group and that a (1) 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 a non-government party or recognized parliamentary group and a member from the government, and provided that each House is represented.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That the Committee publish its proceedings and that in camera proceedings not be published.

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That, at the discretion of the Joint Chairs, the Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses including child care and/or personal attendant care for one (1) 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 Michael Levitt, 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.

Michael Levitt moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at in camera meetings and in addition each party or recognized parliamentary group be permitted to have one (1) staff member from the Whip's office present.

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

On motion of Michael Levitt, it was agreed, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive 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.

ORDERED, — That the Joint Chairs present the report to the Senate and the House of Commons.

Dave Van Kesteren moved, — That, whereas the Library of Parliament already scans Sessional Papers which are tabled in response to Order Paper Questions in the House of Commons, and makes the scanned copies available on the Parliamentary Intranet, that the Library of Parliament provide unfettered access for all Canadians to these same documents on the public internet site, and that such access be provided, from the beginning of the 40th Parliament and future scanned Sessional Papers, as soon as practicable.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Anne Minh-Thu Quach moved, — That the Parliamentary Librarian be invited to appear before the Committee in relation to the Main Estimates 2018-19.

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