Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 14, 2005
(34)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 9:42 a.m. this day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Di Nino, Furey, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Maheu, Milne, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. and Stratton (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool (1).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(iii), the committee began its consideration of quorum in committee.
Mr. Roberston gave a précis of the briefing note he prepared on this matter. General discussion followed.
It was agreed that the item be adjourned for further reflection.
At 10:25, pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(iii), the committee continued its consideration of the issue of committee Chairs as members of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
It was agreed that both caucuses be consulted on allowing the status quo be continued of allowing individual caucuses to take positions on this subject.
At 10:30 a.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 21, 2005
(35)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 9:37 a.m. this day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Joyal, P.C., LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Maheu, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (6).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: Dr. Gary O'Brien, Deputy Clerk and Principal Clerk, Legislative Services, Charles Robert, Principal Clerk, Procedure Office, from the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 16, 2005, the committee began its consideration on the motion, that, in order to facilitate references to the various classes of bills introduced in the Senate, namely government bills, public bills or private bills presented by Senators, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament be authorized to examine and report upon establishing a new system of numbering for Senate bills.
Dr. O'Brien, with the assistance of Charles Robert, briefed the committee on the numbering of bills and answered questions.
Mr. Robertson reviewed with the committee a chart of outlining practices in a selection of provincial and international jurisdictions.
At 10:16, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera for the purpose of consideration of a draft agenda.
At 10:58 a.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 22, 2005
(36)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 12:15 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Chaput, Cools, Fraser, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, P.C., Maheu, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Eggleton, P.C. and Lavigne (3).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi, Michel Patrice, Deputy Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.
Upon notification by the Clerk, that the retirement of the Honourable Lynch-Staunton from the Senate, the position of Vice-Chair of the committee had been vacated, the Chair asked for nominations for the position of Vice- Chair.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved:
That, the Honourable Senator Johnson be Vice-Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 12:30, pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 9, 2005, the committee began its consideration of the motion, that the Rules of the Senate be amended by adding after rule 135 the following:
135.1 Every Senator shall, after taking his or her Seat, take and subscribe an oath of allegiance to Canada, in the following form, before the Speaker or a person authorized to take the oath:
I, (full name of the Senator), do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Canada.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Day, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lavigne:
That the motion be amended by replacing, in the proposed rule 135.1, the word "shall,'' with the word "may.''
Ms. Furi gave a précis of the brief on this subject.
Senator Lavigne gave a brief presentation, which was followed by a general discussion.
It was agreed, that the following material be filed as exhibits with the Clerk.
Open letter on a draft bill, entitled An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Allegiance to Canada) from Senator Lavigne, November 24, 2003. (Exhibit 5900-1.38/R1-SS-5, 8, "1'')
Presentation by Senator Lavigne, "Compilation of responses to the letter from Senator Lavigne, dated November 24, 2003''. (Exhibit 5900-1.38 / R1-SS-5, 8, "2'')
Senator Joyal, P.C. tabled an alternative approach.
It was agreed, that the following material be filed as an exhibit with the Clerk.
Amendment to Senator Lavigne's motion "Pledge of loyalty'' (Exhibit 5900-1.38 / R1-SS-5, 8, "3'')
At 1:21 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 28, 2005
(37)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 9:32 a.m. this day, in room 257-EB, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Chaput, Di Nino, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Lavigne and Losier-Cool (2).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Michel Patrice, Deputy Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 9, 2005, the committee continued its examination of the consideration of an Oath of allegiance to Canada.
WITNESS:
As an individual:
Mr. James Ross Hurley.
Mr. Hurley made a brief statement and answered questions.
At 10:52 a.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 29, 2005
(38)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 12:15 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Chaput, Di Nino, Fraser, Furey, Johnson, Joyal, P.C., LeBreton, Maheu, Milne, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Lavigne (1).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson, Michel Patrice, Deputy Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday June 16, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of the motion on the numbering of bills in the Senate.
The committee considered a draft report.
The Chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved that the draft report be adopted as the report of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the Chair will present the report to the Senate today.
At 12:18, pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 9, 2005, the committee continued its examination of the consideration of an Oath of allegiance to Canada.
Mr. Robertson read a memo into the record.
Mr. Patrice made a statement and answered questions.
At 1:27 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Acting Clerk of the Committee