Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on
Anti-terrorism
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 22, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism met this day, at 1:03 p.m., in room 256-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Day, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Johnson, Joyal, P.C., and Smith, P.C. (7).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., be chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., took the chair of the committee and made some opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the Honourable Senator Nolin be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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;
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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Day 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 Senator Joyal, P.C., 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the committee, and;
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 reference received by the committee;
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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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 Senator Day 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., 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;
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; and
3) that the clerk be instructed to inform members of the committee any time such a decision is made.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than 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 committee proceeded to the consideration of its regular meeting times.
The chair informed the committee that its regular timeslot would be Mondays, from 1 to 4 p.m.
At 1:21 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, December 3, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism met at 1 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Baker, P.C., Day, Fairbairn, P.C., Joyal, P.C., Nolin, Segal and Smith, P.C. (8).
In attendance: Laura Barnett, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, the committee began its study on Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (investigative hearing and recognizance with conditions).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Yves Parent, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section;
Glenn Gilmour, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.
The minister made a statement and, together with Mr. Parent and Mr. Gilmour, answered questions.
At 2:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 2:04 p.m., the committee resumed.
At 3:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee