Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders

Issue 2 - Orders of Reference

Extract from the Rules of the Senate of Canada:

Rule 86(1)(f):

The Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders, composed of fifteen members, four of whom shall constitute a quorum, which is empowered

i) on its own initiative to propose, from time to time, amendments to the rules for consideration by the Senate;

ii) upon a reference from the Senate, to examine and, if required, report on any question of privilege; and

iii) to consider the orders and customs of the Senate and privileges of Parliament.

Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Wednesday, October 13, 1999:

Pursuant to rule 43(8), the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the question of privilege of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk concerning the unauthorized release of working drafts of a report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.

Debate.

SPEAKER'S RULING

My ruling is the same as the one that I gave on September 14. I recognize that a prima facie case has been made and it is in order for the honourable senator to proceed with her motion.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator DeWare:

That the question of privilege concerning the unauthorized release of working drafts of a report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders when that committee is established.

After debate,

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

Paul C. Bélisle

Clerk of the Senate