Health

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health held its first meeting of the session to elect a chair and vice-chairs. Sonia Sidhu moved that Hedy Fry be elected chair, which was carried. Matt Strauss moved that Dan Mazier be elected first vice-chair, and Marcus Powlowski moved that Luc Thériault be elected second vice-chair; both motions were carried.

The committee then proceeded to adopt a series of routine motions governing its operations. These motions covered analyst services, the subcommittee on agenda and procedure, meeting without quorum, travel, witness opening statements and questioning time, document distribution, working meals, witness expenses, access to in camera meetings, transcripts of in camera meetings, notice of motions, orders of reference for bills, technical tests for witnesses, whips' access to digital binders, and maintenance of order and decorum.

During discussion of the routine motions, Marcus Powlowski raised the idea of requiring witnesses to declare conflicts of interest. After debate about the definition and scope of such a requirement, the committee agreed to set the matter aside for now and have a more detailed motion drafted for future consideration.

Dan Mazier then moved a motion, seeking unanimous consent, to adopt a report from the previous session on breast cancer screening and request a government response. The committee agreed to the motion. The meeting was adjourned.