Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Fisheries and Oceans
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
(1)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met this day at 5:40 p.m. in room 505 of the Victoria Building for an organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Cook, MacDonald, Peterson, Robichaud, P.C., Rompkey, P.C. and Watt (7).
Also present: Claude Emery, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, and Danielle Labonté, Clerk, Committees Directorate.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of committee presided over the election of the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cook that the Honourable Senator Rompkey do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., took the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., that the Honourable Senator Cochrane be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cochrane:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and one other member of the committee, the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.; 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 was moved by the Honourable Senator MacDonald:
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 was moved by the Honourable Senator Peterson:
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 was moved by the Honourable Senator Robichaud:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104(2).
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cook:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.:
That, pursuant to 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;
That, pursuant to 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; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Peterson:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator MacDonald:
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 members 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
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cochrane:
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 resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Peterson:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The chair advised the members of the committee that the time slot for regular meetings was Tuesday, when the Senate rises but not before 5 p.m., and Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
At 6:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 12, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met in camera this day at 10:30 a.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Bill Rompkey, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Campbell, Cochrane, Cook, Hubley, MacDonald, Manning, Raine, Robichaud, P.C., and Rompkey, P.C. (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Stratton (1).
In attendance: Claude Emery, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament and Danielle Labonté, Committee Clerk, Senate Committees Directorate.
In accordance with rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its draft agenda.
It was agreed that the following order of reference be adopted, by the committee:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to examine and to report on issues relating to the federal government's current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report from time to time to the Senate but no later than June 30, 2010, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until December 31, 2010.
It was agreed that the senators' staff be authorized to remain in the room when the committee meets in camera for the duration of the Second Session of the Fortieth Parliament.
At 11:17 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Éric Jacques
Clerk of the Committee