The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That Derek Lee be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

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

On motion of Diane Bourgeois, it was agreed, — That Pat Martin be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Derek Lee took the Chair.

On motion of Pat Martin, 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 Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

Chris Warkentin moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the Government.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the motion was negatived.

On motion of Chris Warkentin, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk 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 Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

On motion of Rob Anders, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Chris Warkentin, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and one additional person from each party.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Chris Warkentin moved, — 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 Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Pat Martin moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “48” with the word “24”.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

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

Dan McTeague moved, — That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) to eight (8) minutes for the first questioner of each party, including the response of the witness, as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Liberal Party and Conservative Party; and that thereafter, five (5) minutes, including the response of the witness, be allocated to each party as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

On motion of Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement, that, at the discretion of the chair, during the questioning of witnesses there be allocated eight (8) minutes for the first questioner of each party including the responses of the witnesses as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Quebecois, Conservative Party, and New Democratic Party, and that thereafter five (5) minutes, including the responses of witnesses be allocated to each party as follows: Liberal Party, Bloc Quebecois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Quebecois, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Conservative Party.

Diane Bourgeois gave notice of the following motion:

- That the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates continue the work begun during the last Parliament by giving priority to the study of federal government procurement.

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