Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday April 24, 2006
(1)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 4 p.m. in room 256-S of the Centre Block for an organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88 of the Senate.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Losier-Cool, Plamondon, Robichaud, P.C., Tardif and Trenholme Counsell (8).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presides over the election of the chair.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that the Honourable Senator Chaput be elected chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool that the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., be elected deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and another member of thecommittee so designated following the customary consultations; 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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research 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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
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.
A debate ensued, following which it was agreed that the subcommittee would report back to the committee, as necessary, to keep it informed of those members designated to travel.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
(1) determine whether any member of the committee is on ``official business'' for the purposes 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 an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
A debate ensued, following which it was agreed that the subcommittee report back to the committee, as necessary, on such decisions.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling 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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Plamondon:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That documents be distributed to the members and staff of this committee via electronic mail whenever possible.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The chair advised committee members that regular meetings would be held on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the staff of senators remain in the room while the committee sits in camera.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 4:29 p.m., the committee suspended its proceedings.
At 4:32 p.m., the committee resumed sitting in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) of the Senate.
The committee considered future business.
A debate ensued, following which it was agreed that the chair seek to obtain the following order of reference from the Senate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study, and report back on in a timely manner, the application of the Official Languages Act, as well as related regulations and directives, by those institutions subject to the act;
That the committee be authorized to examine reports and documents produced by the Minister responsible for Official Languages, by the President of the Treasury Board, by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and by the Commissioner of Official Languages, as well as any other matter relating to official languages in general;
That submissions received and evidence heard during the 38th Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report from time to time to the Senate, but no later than June 30, 2007.
At 5:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee