Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, February23, 2009
(1)
[Français]
The Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 6:05p.m., in room 257-East Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Brazeau, Dallaire, Goldstein, Jaffer, Martin and Nancy Ruth (7).
In attendance: Julian Walker and Jennifer Bird, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved that the Honourable Senator Andreychuk do take the chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk took the chair.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the Honourable Senator Jaffer be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer 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 to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth moved:
That the committee print copies of its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved:
That, pursuant to rule89, 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 Senator Brazeau moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule104.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dallaire moved:
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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved:
That, pursuant to section7, 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 section8, 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth 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 Brazeau 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 paragraph8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June3, 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; 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth 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 Senator Jaffer moved:
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 chair informed members of the committee's meeting time, Mondays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
After discussion, it was agreed that there would be further consultation with the leadership concerning the committee's timeslot.
The committee proceeded to discuss a draft agenda.
The chair drew the attention of the committee to the hard work of Laura Barnett, former analyst to the committee, and Jessica Richardson, former clerk of the committee.
It was agreed that the chair send letters of appreciation on behalf of the committee to Ms.Barnett and Ms.Richardson.
At 7:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, March2, 2009
(2)
[Français]
The Senate Committee on Human Rights met in camera this day at 6:35 p.m., in room 257 East Block, the chair, the Honourable A.Raynell Andreychuk, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Brazeau, Dallaire, Goldstein, Martin, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Pépin and Poy (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Stratton (1).
In attendance: Julian Walker and Jennifer Bird, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee was informed of the unavoidable absence of the chair, where upon the clerk presided over the election of an acting chair.
The Honourable Senator Poy moved that the Honourable Senator Dallaire serve as acting chair until the arrival of the chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dallaire took the chair.
At 6:52 p.m., the Honourable Senator Andreychuk took the chair.
The committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft agenda.
At 8:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee