THE SENATE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 5, 2004
The Senate Committee of Selection met this day at 6 p.m., pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate, to hold an organizational meeting; and, pursuant to rule 85(1)(a) of the Rules of the Senate, to nominate (a) a senator to preside as Speaker pro tempore and (b) the senators to serve on select committees during the present session.
[English]
Ms. Heather Lank, Clerk of the Committee: Honourable senators, as clerk of your committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair. I am ready to receive a motion to that effect.
[Translation]
Senator Comeau: I move that the Honourable Senator Rose-Marie Losier-Cool be elected Chair of the Committee of Selection.
Ms. Lank: The Honourable Senator Comeau moves that Senator Losier-Cool be elected Chair of the Committee of Selection.
[English]
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms. Lank: I declare the motion carried.
In accordance with rule 88, the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool is chair of this committee, and I invite her to please take the chair.
Senator Rose-Marie Losier-Cool (Chairman) in the chair.
The Chairman: Thank you very much.
We are at item number two of our agenda, election of a deputy chair.
[Translation]
Senator Rompkey: I move that the Honourable Senator LeBreton be elected Deputy Chair of the Committee of Selection.
[English]
The Chairman: It is proposed by Senator Rompkey that the Honourable Senator LeBreton be deputy chair of the committee. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next item is the nomination of the Speaker pro tempore.
Senator Rompkey: I nominate Senator Maheu.
[Translation]
The Chairman: Senator Rompkey moves that the Honourable Senator Maheu be nominated as Speaker pro tempore.
[English]
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Item No. 4: report the nomination of the Speaker pro tempore to the Senate.
Senator Carstairs: I so move.
The Chairman: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Carstairs that the chair report to the Senate the nomination agreed to at this day's meeting. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Christensen, Fitzpatrick, Léger, Mercer, Pearson, Sibbeston, Trenholme Counsell and Watt.
Senator Bacon: I do not see the name of Senator Gill. Is he no longer on the committee?
Senator Rompkey: Not at the moment. That was his choice, I think.
Senator Stratton: On our side, I would like to nominate Senators St. Germain, Angus, Buchanan and Gustafson.
The Chairman: Should I read them over again?
Senator Stratton: Please.
The Chairman: It was moved by the Honourable Senator Rompkey that the following senators on the Liberal side be on the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples: Christensen, Fitzpatrick, Léger, Mercer, Pearson, Sibbeston, Trenholme Counsell and Watt. Senator Stratton moves the names of Senators St. Germain, Angus, Buchanan and Gustafson.
Do you agree, honourable senators, to accept these senators as members of the Aboriginal Peoples Committee?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Callbeck, Fairbairn, Harb, Hubley, Mahovlich, Mercer, Ringuette and Sparrow.
Senator Comeau: For our side, I would propose the names of Senators Gustafson, Oliver, Tkachuk and Kelleher.
The Chairman: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Rompkey that the Liberal senators on the Agriculture and Forestry Committee be Senators Callbeck, Fairbairn, Harb, Hubley, Mahovlich, Mercer, Ringuette and Sparrow. It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that Senators Gustafson, Oliver, Tkachuk and Kelleher be the members of the opposition.
Senator Bacon: I do not see anyone from Quebec on the Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
Senator Rompkey: I think that is right. We tried to give senators their first and second choices as a result of the requests we received.
Senator Bacon: Are there no requests from Quebecers?
Senator Rompkey: No. We can change.
Senator Bacon: I just wanted to mention it.
Senator Rompkey: It is a good point.
The Chairman: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motions?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Biron, Fitzpatrick, Grafstein, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Massicotte, Moore and Plamondon.
Senator Stratton: We would nominate on our side Senators Angus, Tkachuk, Kelleher and Meighen.
The Chairman: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Rompkey that the Liberal senators on the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee be Senators Biron, Fitzpatrick, Grafstein, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Massicotte, Moore and Plamondon as an independent senator. Senator Stratton moves the names of Senators Angus, Tkachuk, Kelleher and Meighen. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motions?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
[Translation]
The Chairman: For the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources?
Senator Rompkey: I nominate the Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Christensen, Finnerty, Gill, Lavigne, Milne and Spivak.
The Chairman: Senator Rompkey moves that the Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Christensen, Finnerty, Gill, Lavigne and Milne be members of this committee, along with Senator Spivak who will set as an Independent.
[English]
Senator Comeau: I would propose for our side Senators Cochrane, Buchanan, Gustafson and Angus.
The Chairman: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Rompkey that the Liberal senators be Senators Adams, Banks, Christensen, Finnerty, Gill, Milne and Spivak as an independent senator. It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that Senators Cochrane, Buchanan, Gustafson and Angus be on the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator Comeau: Before we go on, Madam Chair, I wonder if I might bring up a point that has been bothering me because in the future we may need to deal with it when referring to the rules. The word "independent" creeps up quite often and I do not think the word exists for senators. Perhaps the Rules Committee could come up with an appropriate term for the use of the word "independent." Before you decide on a ruling, it should be referred somewhere. At some point in the future we may wish to identify whether we refer to these people as independent or non-aligned or it may be another term. If we continue to use the expression, it will become part of our record.
Senator Rompkey: Perhaps we should identify senators by name only, which would get us around the immediate problem. I am advised that you are right.
The Chairman: The report that will be tabled in the Senate will not use the word "independent."
Next is the Fisheries and Oceans Committee.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Adams, Bryden, Cook, Fitzpatrick, Hubley, Mahovlich, Phalen and Watt.
Senator Stratton: On our side, we would nominate Senators Comeau, Meighen, Johnson and St. Germain.
The Chairman: Senator Rompkey has proposed Senators Adams, Bryden, Cook, Fitzpatrick, Hubley, Mahovlich, Phalen and Watt. Senator Stratton has proposed Senators Comeau, Meighen, St. Germain and Johnson.
Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Corbin, De Bané, Downe, Grafstein, Poy, Prud'homme, Robichaud and Stollery.
Senator Stratton: On our side, we would nominate Senators Di Nino, Carney, Andreychuk and Eyton.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs: Senators Corbin, De Bané, Downe, Grafstein, Poy, Prud'homme, Robichaud, Stollery, Di Nino, Carney, Andreychuk and Eyton.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Next is the Human Rights Committee.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose the following names: Senators Carstairs, Ferretti Barth, LaPierre, Pearson, Poulin and Poy.
Senator Tkachuk: From our side, I move the names of Senators Andreychuk, LeBreton and Oliver.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights: Senators Carstairs, Ferretti Barth, LaPierre, Pearson, Poulin, Poy, Andreychuk, LeBreton, Oliver.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Internal Economy Committee.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose the following names: Senators Banks, Cook, Day, De Bané, Furey, Jaffer, Kenny, Massicotte, Poulin and Robichaud.
The Chairman: Senators Banks, Cook, Day, De Bané, Furey, Jaffer, Kenny, Massicotte, Poulin, Robichaud.
Senator Tkachuk: From our side, I move the names of Senators Nolin, Lynch-Staunton, Keon, Stratton and Di Nino.
The Chairman: Senators Nolin, Lynch-Staunton, Keon, Stratton, Di Nino.
Senator Bacon: I see people here who might be chairs of committees, and I think that people who are chairs of committees should not sit on Internal Economy.
Senator Stratton: That is a point to be had. From our side, we feel we have a fairly conservative mix here, and we are comfortable with that.
Senator Bacon: You are comfortable with that?
Senator Stratton: We do not have chairs; we have deputy chairs.
Senator Bacon: I want it to be registered that I am against that.
Senator Tkachuk: Against deputy chairs as well as chairs?
Senator Bacon: Just chairs.
Senator Stratton: I quite agree with you.
Senator Bacon: From my experience, chairs should not sit on Internal Economy because they are biased.
Senator Stratton: We do not know for certain if there are chairs.
Senator Bacon: We do not know now but there might be.
Senator Stratton: No, we do not know that there will be chairs. There is no one nominated here, but there is a potential for chairs.
Senator Bacon: It is there.
The Chairman: When chairs are chosen, we will have to consider it.
Senator Stratton: Let the record note that there are objections on both sides.
Senator Bacon: Objection to that. Okay.
The Chairman: Should I repeat those names? No.
Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Bacon, Joyal, Mercer, Milne, Pearson, Ringuette, Rivest, Sibbeston.
Senator LeBreton: From our side, Senators Eyton, Andreychuk, Nolin and Cools.
The Chairman: Should I repeat the nominations for the Legal Committee?
An Hon. Senator: Please.
The Chairman: For the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Senator Rompkey has moved the names of Senators Bacon, Joyal, Mercer, Milne, Pearson, Ringuette, Rivest, Sibbeston. Senator LeBreton moves the names of Senators Eyton, Andreychuk, Nolin and Cools.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motions?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Next is the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Lapointe, Poy and Trenholme Counsell.
Senator Stratton: I would nominate myself and Senator LeBreton.
The Chairman: The following senators will be on the Library of Parliament Committee: Senators Lapointe, Poy, Trenholme Counsell, Stratton and LeBreton.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Biron, Day, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Harb, Mahovlich, Milne, Murray and Ringuette.
The Chairman: I will repeat: Senators Biron, Day, Downe, Ferretti Barth --
Senator Stratton: On a point of order, it is only a 12-member committee. The Rules Committee and Internal Economy Committee have 15 members. There should be eight Liberals and four Tories.
Senator Rompkey: We will delete Senator Milne and Senator Downe.
The Chairman: Senators Biron, Day, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Harb, Mahovlich, Murray, Ringuette.
Senator Tkachuk: From our side, Senators Oliver, Comeau, Cools and Stratton.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance: Senators Biron, Day, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Harb, Mahovlich, Murray, Ringuette, Oliver, Cools, Comeau, Stratton.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Day, Kenny and Munson.
Senator LeBreton: From our side, I move the names of Senators Forrestall, Lynch-Staunton and Meighen.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence: Senators Atkins, Banks, Cordy, Day, Kenny, Munson, Forrestall, Lynch-Staunton and Meighen.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Chaput, Corbin, Jaffer, Lavigne, Léger and Merchant.
Senator LeBreton: From our side, I move the names of Senators Meighen, Comeau and St. Germain.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on Officials Languages: Senators Chaput, Corbin, Jaffer, Lavigne, Léger, Merchant, Meighen, Comeau and St. Germain.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Chaput, Fraser, Furey, Jaffer, Joyal, Maheu, Milne, Poulin, Robichaud and Smith.
Senator Tkachuk: From our side, we propose Senators LeBreton, Andreychuk, Di Nino, Cools and Lynch-Staunton.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament: Chaput, Fraser, Furey, Jaffer, Joyal, Maheu, Milne, Poulin, Robichaud, Smith, LeBreton, Andreychuk, Di Nino, Cools and Lynch-Staunton.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Next is the Standing Joint Committee of the House of Commons and the Senate for the Scrutiny of Regulations.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Baker, Biron, Bryden, Hervieux-Payette and Moore.
Senator LeBreton: From our side, I move the names of Senators Nolin, Kelleher and Lynch-Staunton.
The Chairman: The following names have been moved: Senators Baker, Biron, Bryden, Hervieux-Payette, Moore, Nolin, Kelleher and Lynch-Staunton.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Fairbairn, Gill, Kirby, Morin and Pépin.
Senator Tkachuk: I propose Senators Keon, Johnson, LeBreton and Cochrane.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Fairbairn, Gill, Kirby, Morin, Pépin, Keon, Johnson, LeBreton and Cochrane.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next is the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.
Senator Rompkey: We would propose Senators Baker, Fraser, Gill, LaPierre, Merchant, Munson, Phalen and Trenholme Counsell.
Senator Comeau: For our side, we would propose Senators Tkachuk, Carney, Eyton and Johnson.
The Chairman: It is moved that the following senators be on the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications: Baker, Fraser, Gill, LaPierre, Merchant, Munson, Phalen, Trenholme Counsell, Tkachuk, Carney, Eyton, and Johnson.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
Do you agree, honourable senators, that I report to the Senate on these nominations?
Senator Carstairs: So moved.
The Chairman: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Carstairs that the chair report to the Senate the nominations agreed to at this day's meeting.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Carried.
The committee adjourned.