Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Aboriginal Economic Development in
Relation to Northern National Parks
Issue 1 - Evidence
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 21, 2000
The Subcommittee on Aboriginal Economic Development in Relation to Northern National Parks met this day at 3:40 p.m. to organize the activities of the subcommittee.
[English]
Ms Jill Ann Joseph, Clerk of the Subcommittee: Honourable senators, there is a quorum. As clerk of the subcommittee I will oversee the election of the Chair.
Are there any nominations?
Senator Chalifoux: Yes, I would nominate Senator Christensen as Chair of the subcommittee.
Ms Joseph: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms Joseph: Please take the Chair.
Senator Ione Christensen (Chairman) in the Chair.
The Chairman: Honourable senators, thank you for your great vote of confidence.
I will proceed with the motions required for the setting up of this subcommittee. The members of the subcommittee are: Senator Sibbeston, Senator Johnson, Senator Chalifoux, and I have the name of Senator St. Germain. Will Senator St. Germain be an official member, or will whoever happens to be available take his place?
Senator Johnson: I cannot speak for Senator St. Germain but I assume he will be in attendance. At this point he is the member.
The Chairman: We have five senators on the subcommittee.
We will move immediately to the order of business of electing a Deputy Chair for this subcommittee. Do I have a motion to appoint a Deputy Chair?
Senator Sibbeston: What is the purpose of having a Deputy Chair?
The Chairman: In the event that I cannot be here, the Deputy Chair will take my place. For balance, I would prefer that the Deputy Chair be a member of the opposition.
Senator Sibbeston: I nominate Senator Johnson.
The Chairman: Hearing no further nominations, I declare Senator Johnson appointed to the role of Deputy Chair.
We shall move to the third item on our agenda which deals with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure. Is it moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be comprised of the Chair and the Deputy Chair? Do you wish me to read this or may I dispense?
Hon. Senators: Dispense.
Senator Sibbeston: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Ms Joseph: With regard to a third member, do you want to name that person?
Senator Chalifoux: I move that Senator Sibbeston be the third member.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
The fourth item requires a motion to print the subcommittee's proceedings.
Senator Sibbeston: I move:
That the subcommittee print 250 copies of its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Item number five deals with the authorization to hold meetings and to print evidence when a quorum is not present.
Senator Johnson: I move:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair 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 the government and a representative of the opposition are present.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Item number six deals with research staff.
Senator Johnson: I move:
That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the Subcommittee; and
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; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the subcommittee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
The seventh item deals with the authority to commit funds and certify accounts.
Senator Sibbeston: I move:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds to confer on the Chair or in the Chair's absence the Deputy Chair; 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 subcommittee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the subcommittee.
The Chairman: All those in agreement?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Item number eight deals with members of the subcommittee who travel.
Senator Chalifoux: I move:
That the subcommittee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the subcommittee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the Subcommittee; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
determine whether any member of the Subcommittee 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
consider any member of the subcommittee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the Subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation relating to the work of the subcommittee.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Item nine deals with the travelling and living expenses of witnesses.
Senator Sibbeston: I move:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon the application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
The next item deals with electronic media coverage of public meetings.
Senator Johnson: I move:
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 hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The Chairman: All those in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Thank you honourable senators. I believe that takes care of our necessary business.
The subcommittee adjourned