Proceedings of the Special Committee on
Illegal Drugs

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings

[English]

The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs met this day in Room 257, East Block, at 1:04 p.m., for the purpose of Organization.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Kenny, Nolin and Maheu (3).

In attendance: Jean-Guy Desgagné.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That theHonourable Senator Nolin be Chair of the committee.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Nolin assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.

The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, - That the Honourable Senator Kenny be Deputy Chair of the committee.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the committee to be designated after the usual consultation; and

That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That the committee print its proceedings.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Maheu moved, - That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee;

That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and

That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.

The question being put on motion, - it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, - That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the committee; and

That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the committee.

The question being put on motion, it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee; and

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:

1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and

2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.

The question being put on motion, it was agreed.

The Honourable Senator Maheu moved - That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.

The question being put on motion, it was agreed.

It was agreed that the committee meets on Mondays from10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Room 257, East Block.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That, a budget in the following amounts be approved and that the Chair be authorized to send this budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.