Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 2, 2006
(1)
[Français]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 8:40 a.m., in room 257, East Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cook, Furey, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, Milne, Munson, Nolin and Oliver (8).
In attendance: Ms. Margaret Young, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presides over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved:
That the Honourable Senator Oliver do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver assumed the chair.
The Honourable Senator Cook moved:
That the Honourable Senator Milne be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson 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; and
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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Cook 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts 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 Furey moved:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Cook 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 purpose 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; or
(b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nolin 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.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the members that the committee's regular meeting times are Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and Thursday at 10:45 a.m., and that meetings will generally be held in room 257, East Block.
The committee proceeded to consider its agenda.
At 8:55 a.m., the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved:
That the committee do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 3, 2006
(2)
[Français]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:19 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Honourable Lorna Milne, deputy chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Cochrane, Cools, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Ringuette and Rivest (8).
In attendance: Ms. Margaret Young and Sebastian Spano, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-4, to amend an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., M.P., Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform.
WITNESSES:
Privy Council Office:
Dan McDougall, Director of Operations, Legislation and House Planning;
David Anderson, Senior Policy Advisor, Democratic Renewal Secretariat.
Elections Canada:
Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada;
Diane R. Davidson, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Legal Counsel.
The Honourable Robert Nicholson made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:12 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Kingsley made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 4, 2006
(3)
[Français]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 11 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Honourable Lorna Milne, deputy chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Baker, P.C., Cochrane, Di Nino, Gustafson, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Milne and Ringuette (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Gustafson (1).
In attendance: Margaret Young and Sebastian Spano, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-4, to amend an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-4, to amend an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that the deputy chair report the bill to the Senate without amendment.
At 11:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gérald Lafrenière
Clerk of the Committee