Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 9, 1997
(1)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 10:00 a.m. this day, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to Rule 88.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Bosa, Cohen, Cools, Forest, Lavoie-Roux, Maheu and Murray (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Carstairs.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Sandra Harder and Grant Purves, Research Officers.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chairman.

The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the Honourable Senator Murray be chairman of this committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Senator Murray was invited by the cclerk of the committee to take the Chair.

The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the Honourable Senator Bosa be deputy chairman of this committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The deputy chairman made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Maheu 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.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Maheu moved -- That the committee print 500 copies of its proceedings and that the chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.

The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the motion be amended to remove all words after "Proceedings."

The question being put on the motion to amend and the motion as amended, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Lavoie-Roux 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 adopted.

The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That, pursuant to rule 104, the chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Lavoie-Roux expressed an interest in having the committee monitor its expenditures, and the Chair agreed to have the clerk send free balance reports to all members on a quarterly basis.

The Honourable Senator Bosa 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 chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was moved -- That, pursuant to Section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the chairman or, in the Chair'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 on the chairman, the deputy chairman and the clerk of the committee.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved -- That the committee empower the Chair 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 adopted.

The Honourable Senator Bosa 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 adopted.

The Honourable Senator Bosa moved -- That the Chair 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; and

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Under other matters, the committee discussed forthcoming government business and raised the possibility of undertaking a social policy study.

The chairman informed the members present that the weekly scheduled time of meeting for the committee will be on Tuesdays from 9:30 or 10:00 to 11:a.m. and Wednesdays when the Senate rises.

After debate, it was agreed, -- That when the committee meets on Tuesdays, it would begin at 10:00 a.m.

At 10:42 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Jill Anne Joseph

Clerk of the Committee