JUST Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights met in camera at 8:46 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Mike Wallace, presiding.

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.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five members, including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and both parliamentary secretaries and that the quorum of the Subcommittee shall consist of at least three members, including one member of the opposition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member in attendance be allowed to have one (1) staff member attend in camera meetings. In addition, each party be allowed to have one (1) staff member from its Whip or House Leader’s Office attend in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That one (1) copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That when a Private Members’ Bill is referred to the Committee, it be placed on the Agenda and that its sponsor be invited to appear before the Committee.

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; that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages; and that completed motions received by the Clerk of the Committee by 5:00 p.m. be distributed to the members the same day.

It was agreed, — That the witnesses from any organization shall be allowed up to 10 minutes for their opening statement; during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated five minutes for the first round of questioning; and thereafter five minutes be allocated to each questioner in the second and subsequent rounds of questioning; the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: NDP, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative; questioning during the second round shall alternate between the government members and opposition members in the following fashion: NDP, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, NDP, Conservative, Conservative, based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witnesses; and if time permits, further rounds shall repeat the pattern of the first two at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

It was agreed, — That the Committee study for at least two meetings (Tuesday, November 5, 2013 and Thursday, November 7, 2013), Bill C-489, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (restrictions on offenders).

It was agreed, — That the Chair prepare a draft letter to request information from provincial and territorial governments in relation to the application of dispositions of Part XVII of the Criminal Code.

At 9:26 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.