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

Issue 5 - 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 November 24, 1999:

Pursuant to rule 43(8), the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the question of privilege of the Honourable Senator Bacon following the leak of the second draft of the report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on the reorganization of Canada's air industry in: .

Today's Le Soleil, "Questions d'argent" section, page B2, source -- Gord McIntosh of Canadian Press

Today's Toronto Star, "News" section, source -- William Walker, Ottawa Bureau Chief.

Debate.

SPEAKER'S RULING

I recall Senator Molgat being asked to rule on a similar question in September. I therefore accept the question of privilege raised by Senator Bacon.

The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maheu:

That the question of privilege concerning the leak of the second draft of the report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on the reorganization of Canada's air industry in Le Soleil and The Toronto Star of November 24, 1999, be referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders.

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

Paul C. Bélisle

Clerk of the Senate