Proceedings of the Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Formerly: The Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders
Issue 2 - First and Second Reports of the Committee
THURSDAY, February 22, 2001
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Pursuant to Rule 104, your Committee reports that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament are as follows:
| Professional & Other Services | $5,895.55 |
| Transportation and Communications | 0 |
| All other Expenditures | 0 |
| Total | $5,895.55 |
In its First Report, which was tabled in the Senate on 24 November 1999, your Committee reported on its expenses and activities in the First Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament, pursuant to Rule 104.
In its Second Report, your Committee, in accordance with Rule 108, recommended the suspension of Rule 106 in connection with a proposed private bill intituled "An Act to amend the Act of incorporation of the Board of Elders of the Canadian District of the Moravian Church in America." The Report was presented on November 24, 1999, and approved by the Senate on November 30, 1999.
Your Committee's Third Report, which was presented on November 24, 1999, requested authorization to hold meetings in camera for the purpose of hearing witnesses relating to a question of privilege raised by Senator Kinsella concerning a witness who appeared before a Senate committee. The Report was withdrawn on December 2, 1999.
Your Committee's Fourth Report was presented on April 13, 2000. It dealt with two questions of privilege that had been referred to it by the Senate and related issues. Both the questions of privilege related to the unauthorized and premature disclosure of the contents of confidential reports of Senate committees. In both cases, your Committee concluded that there had been breaches of parliamentary privilege, constituting contempts of Parliament. It recommended a procedure to be followed in such cases in the future, whereby the committee concerned would first investigate the circumstances of an alleged leak before the Senate would deal with any questions of privilege arising therefrom. Your Committee also proposed that new measures and policies be adopted by all committees to preserve the confidentiality of draft reports and other confidential or in camera proceedings. The Report was adopted by the Senate on June 27, 2000, at which time the Senate also agreed to send a Message to the House of Commons informing it of the recommendations.
On April 13, 2000, your Committee presented its Fifth Report regarding a question of privilege raised by Senator Kinsella concerning the possible interference with a witness before a Senate committee. An employee of Health Canada alleged that he had been disciplined following his appearance before Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. After carefully reviewing the evidence and hearing several witnesses, your Committee was unable to conclude that a contempt of Parliament had occurred. It urged the Minister of Health and the Deputy Minister to take steps to remedy the deplorable working environment in the Bureau of Veterinary Drugs. No action was taken by the Senate prior to the dissolution of Parliament on October 22, 2000.
Your Committee's Sixth Report dealt with a question of privilege that had been raised by Senator Tkachuk involving the unauthorized release of a draft report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. The Committee was unable to identify the source of the premature and unauthorized leak, but used the opportunity to reiterate the need for Senate committees to review and be vigilant about the procedures for dealing with confidential documents. The Report was presented in the Senate on June 22, 2000, and was approved on June 27, 2000.
On June 22, 2000, your Committee presented its Seventh Report recommending the three-minute rule for Senators' Statements, pursuant to Rule 22(6) be rigorously enforced and that no leave to extend the remarks be permitted; it recommended new wording for Rule 22. The Report was adopted by the Senate on June 27, 2000.
Your Committee's Eighth Report, which was tabled on June 22, 2000, recommended the establishment of two new standing committees: Defence and Security, and Human Rights. The Senate had not adopted the Report when Parliament was dissolved on October 22, 2000.
On October 4, 2000, your Committee tabled an updated version of the Rules of the Senate dated October 2000, as its Ninth Report.
Your Committee's Tenth Report, which was presented on October 16, 2000, recommended amendments to the Rule 94 of the Rules of the Senate. In order to provide for additional transparency, a procedure was established whereby a select committee could order its members to disclosure their private financial interests in certain circumstances. The Report was adopted
Respectfully submitted,
JACK AUSTIN
Chairman
THURSDAY, March 1, 2001
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament has the honour to table its
SECOND REPORT
Your Committee has revised the October 2000 edition of the Rules of the Senate and accordingly tables an updated version dated February 2001, authorized by the Senate
Respectfully submitted,
TERRY STRATTON
Deputy Chairman