Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 25, 2006
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 9:40 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Cordy, Di Nino, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, Merchant, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. and Tardif (10).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson, Analyst.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable David Smith, P.C., moved:
That the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, be chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited the chair elect to take the chair.
The Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, assumed the chair.
The chair presided over the election of the deputy chair.
The Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, moved:
That the Honourable David Smith, P.C., be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, 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 schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, 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 Jane Cordy, 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 Raynell Andreychuk, 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 Jane Cordy, moved:
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 adopted.
The Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, 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 Claudette Tardif, 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.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Fernand Robichaud, P.C., moved:
That the Subcommittee report back to the committee on such decisions.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The question was then put on the motion, as amended, of the Honourable Claudette Tardif:
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, and that the Subcommittee report back to the committee on such decisions.
The question being put on the main motion as amended, it was adopted.
The Honourable Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, 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 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 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 Pana Merchant, moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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 Fernand Robichaud, P.C., 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.
Meeting times of the committee were discussed and agreed.
The future agenda of the committee was discussed.
At 10:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 2, 2006
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 9:31 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, P.C., Corbin, Cordy, Di Nino, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C., Stratton and Tardif (10).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson, Analyst.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera, to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed to allow staff to remain.
The Honourable Fernand Robichaud, P.C., moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be authorized to request transcripts for in camera meetings be produced, when deemed necessary, for the use of the chair, deputy chair, the members of the committee, the clerk of the committee and its analysts in accurately reflecting the discussions of the committee in minutes and draft reports; and
That these transcripts be destroyed at the end of a session.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C., moved:
That the committee consider the following draft budget application for its legislative work for the financial year ending March 31, 2007:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 18,375 |
| Transport and Communications | 0 |
| All Other Expenditures | 0 |
| Total: | $ 18,375 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The future agenda of the committee was discussed.
At 10:51 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 6, 2006
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 9:32 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Di Nino, Joyal, P.C., Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C., Tardif (6).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson, Analyst and Charles Robert, Principal Clerk, Procedure Office.
Procedural issues related to an Act respecting user fees.
WITNESS:
From the Senate of Canada:
Dr. Gary O'Brien, Deputy Clerk and Principal Clerk, Legislative Services.
Dr. O'Brien, with the assistance of Charles Robert, made a brief presentation and answered questions.
It was agreed that Option 2 of the briefing note be adopted with the addition of language concerning prior consultation and that a draft report with the necessary rule changes be prepared.
At 10:35 a.m., future business of the committee was considered.
It was agreed that the Steering Committee consult leadership on the desirability of revisiting its study of interpretation for Aboriginal Languages.
At 10:41a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 13, 2006
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 9:31 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Cordy, Di Nino, Losier-Cool, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C., Stratton, Tardif (9).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson, Analyst.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera, to consider a draft report on procedural issues related to an Act respecting user fees.
It was agreed to allow staff to remain.
The Honourable Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, moved:
That the report be adopted and that the chair be authorized to report to the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee proceeded to discuss future business.
At 9:54 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee