Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 1 - Minutes
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 1, 2001
(1) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:05 a.m., in Room 257, East Block, for the purpose of organization. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Finestone, P.C., Kinsella, Oliver, Poy, Watt, and Wilson (8). Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Hubley (1). In attendance: David Goetz, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament. Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate. The committee proceeded to organize pursuant to rule 88. The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair. The Honourable Senator Beaudoin moved that the Honourable Senator Andreychuk do take the Chair of the Committee. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Andreychuk took the Chair. The Honourable Senator Poy moved that the Honourable Senator Finestone, P.C., be Deputy Chair of the Committee. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Wilson moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and one other member of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Oliver moved that the committee print its proceedings; and That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Watt moved 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 member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Beaudoin 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 Chair, 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 adopted. The Honourable Senator Oliver moved that, pursuant tosection 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; and That, pursuant to section 34 of the FinancialAdministration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. It was moved by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin that, pursuant to Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. It was moved by the Honourable Senator Poy 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. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. After debate, it was agreed that the committee meet in public at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2001 to consider its future business. At 11:41 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair. ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, May 7, 2001
(2) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 5:15 p.m., in Room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Ferretti Barth, Finestone, P.C., Kinsella, Oliver, and Wilson (7). In attendance: David Goetz, Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament. Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate. The committee considered its schedule. After debate, It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorised to set meeting dates and times. The committee proceeded to consider its future business. After debate, It was agreed that committee research staff collect and circulate certain documents to members. After further debate, The Honourable Senator Oliver moved that the Chair be authorised to seek the following Order of Reference from the Senate: That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorised to examine issues relating to human rights, and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations; and That the committee report to the Senate no later than Wednesday, October 31, 2001. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The committee considered the following draft budgetapplication for its legislative work for the financial year ending March 31, 2002: Professional and Other Services $ 3,000
Other Expenditures $ 1,500
TOTAL $ 4,500 After debate, The Honourable Senator Wilson moved that the committee adopt the draft budget application for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration. The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. After further debate, At 6:27 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair. ATTEST:
Le greffier du comité,
Till Heyde