Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on
Senate Reform

Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 20, 2006
(6)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Senate Reform met this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 9:00 a.m., the chair, the Honourable Daniel Hays, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Austin, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Dawson, Hays, Hubley, Murray, P.C., Tkachuk and Watt (10).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Fraser, Harb and Losier-Cool (3).

In attendance: Sebastian Spano and Brian O'Neil, Analysts, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the subject-matter of Bill S-4, to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure) and pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the Motion to amend the Constitution of Canada (Western regional representation in the Senate). (For complete text of Orders of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Peter McCormick, Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Lethbridge;

Gordon Gibson, Senior Fellow in Canadian Studies, Fraser Institute;

Peter Hogg, Scholar in Residence, Blake, Cassels and Graydon.

The Chair made a statement.

The Deputy Chair made a statement.

Mr. Gibson and Mr. McCormick each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:48 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:55 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Hogg made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 20, 2006
(7)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Senate Reform met this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 2:00 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Daniel Hays, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Chaput, Dawson, Fraser, Hays, Hubley, Murray, P.C., Tkachuk and Watt (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Harb and Losier-Cool (2).

In attendance: Jack Stilborn, Principal Analyst and Sebastian Spano, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the subject-matter of Bill S-4, to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure) and pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the Motion to amend the Constitution of Canada (Western regional representation in the Senate). (For complete text of Orders of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

John Whyte, Senior Policy Fellow, Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy;

Richard Simeon, William Lyon Mackenzie King Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies, Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University (by video conference);

David E. Smith, Professor Emeritus, University of Saskatchewan;

Daniel Pellerin, Visiting Assistant Professor, Political Science Department, Colgate University.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Whyte and Mr. Simeon each made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed that a photographer from the Hill Times be permitted to take pictures at the start of the next session.

At 3:41 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:51 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Pellerin each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:28 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Piccinin

Clerk of the Committee