Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 23 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 21, 2007
(58)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Bryden, Fraser, Hays, P.C., Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Oliver, Ringuette and Rivest (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cools and Gustafson (2).
In attendance: Margaret Young and Jack Stilborn, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 20, 2006, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-4, to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure).
WITNESSES:
Privy Council Office:
Matthew King, Assistant Secretary, Legislation and House Planning;
Dan McDougall, Director of Operations, Legislation and House Planning;
David Anderson, Senior Policy Advisor, Legislation and House Planning.
Department of Justice Canada:
Warren J. Newman, General Counsel, Constitutional and Administrative Law Section.
Canada West Foundation:
Roger Gibbins, President and CEO.
As individuals:
Andrew Heard, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University;
Joseph Magnet, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Mr. King made a statement and together with Mr. McDougall, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Newman answered questions.
It was agreed to extend the duration of this panel in order to allow all questions to be answered, suspend briefly and then reconvene for a second sitting with the remaining witnesses.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:14 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Heard, Mr. Gibbins and Mr. Magnet each made a statement and together answered questions.
At 9:30 p.m., the committee proceeded to consider a draft budget.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved that the following budget application for the study of legislation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 be concurred in; and, that the Chair submit same to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 42,500 |
| Transportation and Communications | $ 27,610 |
| All Other Expenditures | $ 4,000 |
| TOTAL | $ 74,110 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 22, 2007
(59)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:45 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Bryden, Di Nino, Fraser, Hays, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Milne, Oliver, Ringuette and Rivest (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C.
In attendance: Margaret Young and Jack Stilborn, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 20, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-4, to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure).
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
John McEvoy, Professor, University of New Brunswick;
Don Desserud, Professor, University of New Brunswick at Saint John;
Meg Russell, Senior Research Fellow, University College London (by video conference).
Gerard Horgan, Professor, International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle (by video conference).
The Chair made an opening statement.
It was agreed to circulate Mr. McEvoy's and Mr. Horgan's documents in English only.
Mr. McEvoy and Mr. Desserud each made a statement and together answered questions.
At 10:52 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:56 a.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Russell and Mr. Horgan each made a statement and together answered questions.
At 1:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee