Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 14, 1999
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met at 10:30 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purposes of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee presents: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Atkins, Bolduc, Corbin, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Stewart and Stollery (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Prud'homme (1).
In attendance: Peter Berg and Wolfgang Koerner from the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
1. Election of Chairman
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chairman.
The Honourable Senator Lewis moved -- That the Honourable Senator Stewart be Chairman of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The clerk invited the Chairman elect to take the Chair.
2. Election of Deputy Chairman
The Honourable Senator Bolduc moved -- That the Honourable Senator Andreychuk be Deputy Chairman of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
3. Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool moved -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member the Honourable Senator Stollery; 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 resolved in the affirmative.
4. Motion to print the committee's Proceedings
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved -- That the committee print 500 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 resolved in the affirmative.
5. Authorization to hold meetings, to print evidence when quorum is not present
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
6. Financial Report
The Honourable Senator Atkins 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 resolved in the affirmative.
7. Research Staff
The Honourable Senator Corbin 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, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
8. Authority to commit funds and certify accounts
The Honourable Senator Bolduc 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 on the Chairman, or the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
9. Travelling and living expenses of witnesses
The Honourable Senator Corbin 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
10. Electronic media coverage of public meetings
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool 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; and That the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
11. Budget NATO -- PEACEKEEPING
It was agreed -- That the Budget in the amount of $59,470 relating to the NATO -- Peacekeeping Study be adopted and presented to the Internal Economy Committee for approval.
12. Budget European Monetary Union
It was agreed -- That the Budget in the amount of $6,500 relating to the European Monetary Union be adopted and presented to the Internal Economy Committee for approval.
At 11:45 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera to consider future business.
At 12:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee