Proceedings of the Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 4, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 12:11 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Downe, Fraser, Grafstein, Harb, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, Milne, Murray, P.C., Ringuette (12).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Jamie Robertson and Margaret Young.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that the Honourable Senator Milne be Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted
The clerk invited the Chairman elect to take the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Milne assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Chair presided over the election of the Deputy Chair.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that the Honourable Senator Andreychuk be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Grafstein moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and a senator to be confirmed through the usual channels;
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings;
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, that the committee print its proceedings and that the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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 representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool moved, that, pursuant to rule 104, the Chair be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk 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 Hubley moved:
That, pursuant to section 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 Financial Administration 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.
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, that the committee empower the Steering Committee to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on motion, it was adopted.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Harb moved, that the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee within Canada; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee within Canada.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Downe moved, that, pursuant to the 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.
Meeting times of the committee were discussed and agreed.
The committee considered the following draft budget application for its legislative work for the financial year ending March 31, 2004:
Professional and Other Services
$ 3,600
Transport and Communications
$ 0
All Other Expenditures
$ 0
Total
$ 3,600
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Harb 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.
At 12:33 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 17, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 9:32 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Di Nino, Downe, Harb, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Losier- Cool, Milne, Murray, P.C., Ringuette, Robertson, Smith, P.C. (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Sparrow, Gauthier, Lavigne (3).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Jamie Robertson and Margaret Young.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Friday, February 13, 2004, the committee began its consideration of a code of conduct for Senators and that all related evidence and papers taken on this issue by the committee in the 2nd Session of the 37th Parliament be referred to the committee; and that the committee be authorized to take into context the 51st Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs from the 2nd Session of the 37th Parliament.
The committee pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) proceeded to a consideration of its draft agenda.
It was agreed, that the Chair, in consultation with the Deputy Chair, establish a working group to assist in drafting a code.
It was agreed, that the committee pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) proceed to a consideration of a draft report.
At 10:48 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 18, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 12:19 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuck, Downe, Fraser, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, Milne, Murray, P.C., Robertson, Smith, P.C. (10).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Jamie Robertson and Margaret Young.
Pursuant to its mandate under rule 86 (1)(f ), consideration of the revised and updated Rules of the Senate dated February 2004, as authorized by the Senate.
WITNESS:
From the Senate of Canada:
Dr. Gary O'Brien, Deputy Clerk and Principal Clerk.
Dr. Gary O'Brien made a brief presentation and answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Joyal moved, that the Chair table in the Senate the revised and updated Rules of the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Friday, February 13, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the consideration of a code of conduct for Senators.
It was agreed, that the committee proceed in camera at 12:30 pm for the consideration of a draft report.
At 1:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee