Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on the
Anti-terrorism Act
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 15, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act met this day in room 356-S, Centre Block, at 11:47 a.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Christensen, Fairbairn, P.C., Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Kinsella and Lynch-Staunton (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool (1).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Special Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Kinsella moved that the Honourable Senator Fairbairn be Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn took the Chair of the Committee and made some opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved that the Honourable Senator Lynch-Staunton be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Austin 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;
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 agreed.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the Special 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 agreed.
The Honourable Senator Austin 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 agreed.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved:
That the Special Committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the Special Committee, and;
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.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Joyal moved that the motion be amended as follows:
That the Special Committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the Special Committee, and;
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 reference received by the committee;
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 in amendment, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Lynch-Staunton 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 Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the Special Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than 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 agreed.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media at its discretion.
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the words ``after consultation with the committee'' be added to the motion.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee have as much electronic coverage of its public proceedings as possible.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was agreed.
The committee proceeded to the consideration of the committee's regular meeting times.
After debate, the committee agreed that its regular timeslot would be on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The committee discussed its research requirements and possible approaches to its mandate.
At 12:30 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, February 14, 2005
(2)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act met at 10:30 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Day, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Lynch-Staunton, Smith, P.C. and Stratton (10).
In attendance: Benjamin Dolin and Jennifer Wispinski, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, December 13, 2004, the committee met to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Anti-terrorism Act (S.C. 2001, c.41).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Anne McLellan, P.C., M.P., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada:
Paul Kennedy, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister;
Department of Justice Canada:
Bill Pentney, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Citizenship, Immigration and Public Safety.
Minister McLellan made a statement and, together with Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Pentney, answered questions.
At 12:12 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, February 14, 2005
(3)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act met at 12:45 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Day, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Lynch-Staunton, Smith, P.C. and Stratton (10).
In attendance: Benjamin Dolin and Jennifer Wispinski, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, December 13, 2004, the committee met to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Anti-terrorism Act (S.C. 2001, c.41).
WITNESSES:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada:
Paul Kennedy, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister;
Christian Roy, Counsel, Legal Services.
Department of Justice Canada:
Bill Pentney, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Citizenship, Immigration and Public Safety.
The Chair made a statement.
Paul Kennedy, Bill Pentney and Christian Roy answered questions.
At 2:14 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.
At 2:25 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the following draft budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005 be adopted and submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 9,000 |
| Transportation and Communications | 0 |
| All Other Expenditures | 1,000 |
| Total | $ 10,000 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 2:27 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
At 3:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee