Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 27 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 9, 2007
(68)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:14 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Bryden, Cowan, Fraser, Hays, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Milne, Oliver, Stratton and Tkachuk (11).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. (1).
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.
The committee met to discuss its future business.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Senator Stratton moved that the committee do now proceed to its clause-by-clause examination of Bill S-4, to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure).
After debate, the question being put on the motion it was negatived on the following recorded vote:
YEAS: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Oliver, Stratton and Tkachuk — 4.
NAYS: The Honourable Senators Baker P.C., Bryden, Cowan, Fraser, Hays, P.C., Joyal P.C. and Milne — 7.
ABSTENTIONS: Nil.
Senator Milne moved that before proceeding to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-4, a letter be sent to all provincial premiers and that all provincial and federal government submissions and relevant transcripts relating to this committee's study on Bill S-4, be appended to said letter and that the letter invite the premiers to respond to the committee by May 31, 2007.
After debate, it was agreed that the draft letter to provincial premiers provided by Senator Milne be circulated to all members for their review.
At 5:24 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
Debate resumed on the motion of Senator Milne.
It was agreed that the draft letter be amended by including paragraphs 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 11 and deleting paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10.
It was agreed that the draft letter be amended by deleting the words ``In view of the nature and weight of the testimony we have heard'' from the beginning of paragraph 6.
It was agreed that the draft letter be amended by including the word ``federal'' after the words ``to date from'' in paragraph 7.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the letter and to make any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required and that the final version of the letter be sent to all provincial premiers, with the appended documents, by the Clerk, on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion of Senator Milne as agreed to, it was adopted, on division.
Senator Stratton moved that the committee do proceed to its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-4 for certain on June 6, 2007.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee resumed consideration of its future business.
At 6:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 10, 2007
(69)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:58 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Nolin, Oliver, Rivest, Stratton and Zimmer (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C. (1).
In attendance: Margaret Young and Wade Riordan Raaflaub, 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 March 21, 2007, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-31, an Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Public Service Employment Act.
APPEARING:
Honorable Peter Van Loan, P.C., M.P., Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform.
WITNESSES:
Privy Council Office:
Matthew King, Assistant Secretary, Legislation and House Planning;
Natasha Kim, Senior Policy Advisor, Legislation and House Planning.
Department of Justice Canada:
Raymond MacCallum, Counsel, Human Rights Law Section.
Minister Van Loan made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:51 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee