Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and
Constitutional Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 22, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Room 505, Victoria Building, at 5:24 p.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cogger, Doyle, Gigantès, Jessiman, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Milne, Nolin, Pearson and Watt (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Bryden and Prud'homme (2).
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to Rule 88, the clerk presided over the election of the Chairman.
The Honourable Senator Lewis moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Milne be Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Milne took the Chair of the Committee and made some opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Cogger be Deputy Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Jessiman moved, -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member of the Committee to be designated after the usual consultation;
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and
That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, -- That the committee print 450 copies of its Proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Lewis moved, -- That, pursuant to Rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of each party is present.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Watt moved, -- That, pursuant to Rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee in the last session.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Lewis moved, -- That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee;
That the Chairman 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 Chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool moved, -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chairman; 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 Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Cogger moved, -- That the committee empower the Chairman 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Lewis moved, -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than two witnesses from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Jessiman moved, -- That payment will take place upon application received not more than 60 days after appearance of the witness.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
After debate, it was agreed -- That under normal circumstances the committee will reimburse only one witness per organization.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, -- That the Chairman be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
It was agreed by the committee that, whenever possible, first reading copies of bills expected to be referred to the committee would be distributed to the members.
At 5:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chairman.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 29, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Room 505, Victoria Building, at 3:30 p.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Cogger, Doyle, Gigantès, Jessiman, Losier-Cool, Milne, Moore, Nolin and Watt (9).
In attendance: Monique Hébert, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESS:
Mr. Tom Wappel, M.P., sponsor of the bill.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 22, 1997, the committee commenced its consideration of Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Copyright Act (profit from authorship respecting a crime).
The Chairman made a statement.
Mr. Wappel made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:18 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chairman.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee