Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Issue 1 - Evidence for February 26, 2009
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration met this day at 8:31 a.m., pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate, to organize the activities of the committee; and in camera to consider administrative matters.
[English]
Paul Bélisle, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments: Honourable senators, your first order of business today is to elect a chair for this committee. I am ready to receive motions to that effect.
Senator Greene: It is my honour to propose Senator Furey as chair of this committee.
Senator Dawson: That is a good idea.
Senator Prud'homme: Surprise!
Mr. Bélisle: Are there any other motions? It is moved by the Honourable Senator Greene that Senator Furey occupy the chair of this committee. Is it agreed, honourable senators, to adopt this motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator George J. Furey (Chair) in the chair.
The Chair: I thank you for your nomination and your expression of confidence. I hope in the near future it will be shown to be well placed. The next item on the agenda is the nomination of a deputy chair.
Senator Dawson: I have the privilege and honour to recommend Senator David Tkachuk as deputy chair of the committee. I was hesitating between him and Senator Prud'homme.
The Chair: Are there any other nominations? If not, is it agreed, colleagues?
Senator Massicotte: We should hear his election platform before we vote.
The Chair: Colleagues, is it agreed that Senator Tkachuk will occupy the deputy chair's position?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: The next item is the formation of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure — the steering committee, which is normally the chair and deputy chair. We propose that Senator Cook be the third member of that subcommittee. Is it agreed, colleagues?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Next is a motion:
That the subcommittee be authorized, subject to the approval of the full Committee, to strike other Subcommittees; and
That if the full Committee is unable to meet, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to deal with and resolve immediate administrative problems; and that it report its decisions at the first meeting thereafter.
It will report to the full committee.
It is moved by Senator Comeau. Are colleagues agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Next is a motion to print the committee's proceedings.
Senator Tkachuk: I so move.
The Chair: Senator Tkachuk moved that the committee print its proceedings and that the chair be authorized to set the number to meet the demand. Is it agreed, colleagues?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: We need a committee to represent the Senate at the Joint Interparliamentary Council. That is usually done by the steering committee. Can we have a motion that the steering committee continue to represent the Senate at the JIC? It is moved by Senator Prud'homme.
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator Prud'homme: Chair, I raise my hand to let our colleagues know that most of the time I am a guest, without voting, at the joint interparliamentary committee. I am more than happy again, for the next nine months, to return to that committee as a non-voting, non-speaking institutional memory. Sometimes they fly high in these associations and they call on me to see what I think — only when I am asked.
The Chair: Senator Prud'homme has always been a welcome and interesting member of the committee. We consider him a member of the committee. He brings a wealth of information and institutional memory that we rely on heavily. You will be more than welcome to attend, Senator Prud'homme. We look forward to having you there.
The Chair: Next is a motion that the committee adopt the draft first report prepared in accordance with rule 104.
Mr. Bélisle: This report, according to rule 104, is of the expenses in the last session of Parliament, $2,279.
The Chair: It is moved by Senator Robichaud. Is it agreed, colleagues?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Before proceeding in camera with the minutes of proceedings from past meetings, I want to take a second to welcome back senators who have served on the committee in the past, and to welcome new members of the committee, particularly our two new senators, Senator MacDonald and Senator Greene. Welcome aboard.
As always, welcome to our Speaker of the Senate, Senator Kinsella. It is always a pleasure to have you attend our meetings.
The committee continued in camera.