The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Joe Preston, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Harold Albrecht, Judy Foote, Yvon Godin, Randy Hoback, Mario Laframboise, Tom Lukiwski, Joe Preston, Marcel Proulx, Yasmin Ratansi, Scott Reid and Rodney Weston.
Acting Members present: David Christopherson for Yvon Godin and Louis Plamondon for Claude DeBellefeuille.
In attendance: Library of Parliament: Nicolas Auclair, Analyst; Andre Barnes, Analyst; Michel Bédard, Analyst.
Witnesses: Office of the Chief Electoral Officer: Marc Mayrand, Chief Electoral Officer; Rennie Molnar, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Events; François Bernier, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Political Financing; Stéphane Perrault, Senior General Counsel and Senior Director, Legal Services.
Marc Mayrand made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, — That the Committee give its approval for a study by Elections Canada of the use of an assistive voting device in the by-election in Winnipeg North and that the Committee present a report to the House in relation to the study by Elections Canada and their approval of it as required by section 18.1 of the Elections Canada Act.
Marc Mayrand made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:43 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.
It was agreed, — That the Committee adopt a draft report concerning electoral matters and that the Chair present the report to the House.
It was agreed, — That the Committee study the issue of the appearance of exempt staff and staff of parliamentary secretaries as witnesses before parliamentary committees and report its findings to the House no later than Thursday, March 31, 2011.
At 1:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Angela CrandallClerk of the Committee