Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 13, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 2 p.m. this day, in room 160-S Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Corbin, Gauthier, Keon and Léger (5).
Also present: The Honourable Senator Marcel Prud'homme, P.C. (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gauthier that the Honourable Senator Corbin do take the Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Keon that the Honourable Senator Buchanan, P.C., be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Chaput:
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 consultations; and
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.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger:
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.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Keon:
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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Chaput:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff 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.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Keon:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and Section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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 Section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Chaput:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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 the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger 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 an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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.
The Chair informed the committee that the time slot for its meetings is on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At 2:30 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, October 18, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 4:05 p.m., this day, in room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Eymard G. Corbin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Comeau, Corbin, Gauthier, Jaffer, Léger, and Trenholme Counsell (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee began its examination of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (promotion of English and French).
It was agreed that the Chair table the committee's report pursuant to rule 104 in the chamber.
WITNESS:
Senate of Canada:
The Honourable Senator Jean-Robert Gauthier.
Senator Gauthier made a statement and answered questions.
Members discussed whether to proceed now to clause by clause consideration of Bill S-3.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Comeau moved that the committee not now proceed with the clause by clause study of Bill S-3 and that the matter be adjourned to the next meeting of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 5 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 20, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 5:39 p.m. day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Eymard G. Corbin, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buchanan, P.C., Comeau, Corbin, Gauthier, Léger, St. Germain, P.C., and Trenholme Counsell (7).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (promotion of English and French).
It was agreed that the Honourable Senator Corbin read a letter received by the Honourable Liza Frulla, P.C., Minister of Canadian Heritage.
It was agreed that the committee move to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-3.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the Bill be adopted without amendment.
It was agreed that the Chair report the Bill to the Senate.
At 5:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee