RPRD - Standing Committee

Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

Past Session: Past Session:
37-1 37th Parliament, 1st Session (January 29, 2001 - September 16, 2002)
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Proceedings of the Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

Formerly: The Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders

Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 28, 2001
(3)

The Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders met at 12:10 p.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Austin, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Bryden, DeWare, Di Nino, Gauthier, Grafstein, Joyal, P.C., Kinsella, Kroft, Murray, P.C., Poulin, Rossiter and Stratton (14).

Other senators present: The Honourable SenatorsPitfield, P.C. and Robertson (2).

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The Chair presented the First Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedures (Steering Committee), as follows:

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure has the honour to present its

FIRST REPORT

Your Subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 21, 2001, to discuss the future business and work plan for the committee, and recommends as follows:

1. With respect to the order of reference from the Senate dated March 15, 2001 (examination of the structure of committees), we recommend that the committee undertake a two-track process.

First, with respect to the specific issues raised in the order of reference - human resources, the schedule of committees, committee mandates, number of committees, and number of members on each committee - the committee's deadline is October 31, 2001. It is proposed that:

- A letter be sent to the chairs and deputy chairs of each Senate committee advising them of this study and seeking their input;

- Senators Austin and Stratton will offer to meet with each committee to make a brief presentation on the study;

- The Clerk of the Senate will be asked to provide information on the available human resources;

- The Director of Finance of the Senate will be asked to provide information on the existing budgets for com mittee work, including the new standing and special committees that have been approved by the Senate, and details on travel by Senate committees; and

- Staff of the Senate will be asked to provide background information on the work and activities of committees, including legislation, number of meetings, conflicts in membership, attendance, et cetera.

Second, your steering committee believes that the brief discussion by members of the committee at the meeting on March 21, 2001 warrants a look at broader questions about the role of the Senate and the purpose of Senate committees. As such a study is much larger, and may involve consultation and dialogue with many people outside the Senate, your steering committee believes that such a study should be undertaken separately, although in parallel, with the specific order of reference.

It is important that a conceptual framework first be developed. We propose that a small subcommittee be appointed to develop the parameters for this broader study. The subcommittee will report back to the full committee, which will review and approve the terms of reference for the study, and decide whether and how to proceed further.

2. Your steering committee further recommends that at the next meeting of the committee - on Wednesday,March 28, 2001 - the items on the agenda shall be:

Motion of Senator Gauthier, as amended (SenateCommittee on Official Languages);

Motion of Senator Robichaud (Examination of the structure of committees); and

Disabled Senators.

3. Your steering committee also recommends that each agenda of the committee contain a list of outstanding issues that are before the committee, listed alphabetically.

After debate,

It was agreed that the report be adopted.

The committee resumed its consideration of the motion of Senator Gauthier, as amended (Senate Committee on Official Languages).

After debate,

It was agreed that further consideration of the motion be adjourned until the next meeting of the committee.

At 1:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gary O'Brien

Clerk of the Committee