Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and
Constitutional Affairs
Issue 43 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 11, 1996
(58)
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day, in Room 505, Victoria Building, at 3:25 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Bryden, Carstairs, Gigantès, Milne, Moore, Murray, Pearson and Nolin (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Oliver and Prud'homme (2).
In attendance: James Robertson and Mollie Dunsmuir, Research Officers, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
For Bill C-63:
Professor John Courtney, Department of Political Studies, University of Saskatchewan.
Mr. Harold Neufeld, Consultant.
From Elections Canada:
Mr. Jacques Girard, Director of Legal Services.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on, Wednesday, November 27, 1996, the Committee commenced its consideration of Bill C-347, An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts.
The Chair made an opening statement.
It was agreed -- THAT the committee dispense with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-347.
It was agreed -- THAT new clause 13.1 be added as follows:
Page 3, new clause 13.1: immediately after line 45 add the following:
13.1. In the representation order declared in force by Proclamation of January 8, 1996 under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, effective upon the first dissolution of Parliament that occurs after January 8, 1997, paragraph 92 of that part relating to the Province of Ontario is amended by substituting the name `Vaughan--King--Aurora' for the name `Vaughan--Aurora'.
It was agreed -- THAT new clause 17.1 be added as follows:
Page 4, new clause 17.1: immediately after line 37 on page 4 add the following:
17.1. In the representation order declared in force by Proclamation of January 8, 1996 under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, effective upon the first dissolution of Parliament that occurs after January 8, 1997, paragraph 8 of that part relating to the Province of Saskatchewan is amended by substituting the name `Regina--Lumsden--Lake Centre' for the name `Regina--Arm River'.
It was agreed -- THAT new clause 19.1 be added as follows:
Page 5, new clause 19.1: immediately after line 10 add the following:
19.1. In the representation order declared in force by Proclamation of January 8, 1996 under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, effective upon the first dissolution of Parliament that occurs after January 8, 1997, paragraph 2 of that part relating to the Province of New Brunswick is amended by substituting the name `Beauséjour--Petitcodiac' for the name `Beauséjour'."
It was agreed -- THAT Bill C-347, as amended, carry.
It was agreed -- THAT Bill C-347 be reported to the Senate, as amended.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on, Thursday, December 5, 1996, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-63, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, the Parliament of Canada Act and the Referendum Act (See Issue No. 41, Monday, December 9, 1996, for full text of Order of Reference.)
Professor John Courtney made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Harold Neufeld made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:23 p.m., the Honourable Senator Nolin took the Chair.
At 5:28 p.m., the Honourable Senator Carstairs returned to the Chair.
Mr. Jacques Girard answered questions.
At 6:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee