Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, February 23, 2009
(1)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 5:35 p.m. in room 505 of the Victoria Building for an organization meeting, in accordance with rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Fortin- Duplessis, Goldstein, Jaffer, Losier-Cool, Mockler and Tardif (9).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
In accordance with Rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that the Honourable Senator Chaput do take the chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Chaput took the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool that the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., 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 Tardif:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, 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 Champagne, P.C.:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number to meet the demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Mockler:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings and 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 Losier-Cool:
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 Fortin-Duplessis:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign 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 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 Tardif:
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 Jaffer:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or 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 Mockler:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
determine whether a member of the committee is on ``official business'' for the purposes of paragraph 8(3) of the Senators' Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
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 Comeau:
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 Tardif:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's 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 resolved in the affirmative.
The Chair informed the members of the committee that the time slot for regular meetings would be Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C.:—
That during the Second Session of the 40th Parliament, senators' staff be authorized to remain in the meeting room while the committee sits in camera.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 6 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 6:02 p.m., the committee reconvened in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)e), to consider a draft agenda.
At 6:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, March 2, 2009
(2)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 5:01 p.m. in room 9 of the Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Fortin- Duplessis, Goldstein, Losier-Cool, Martin and Tardif (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Murray, P.C. (1).
Also present: Marie-Ève Hudon, analyst, and Célia Jutras, intern, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
In attendance: Official Senate reporters.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the committee began to study the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the act.
WITNESSES:
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages:
Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages;
Lise Cloutier, Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services Branch;
Pierre Coulombe, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Assurance Branch;
Pascale Giguère, Acting Director of Legal Affairs;
Johane Tremblay, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications Branch.
Mr. Fraser made a statement and, along with Ms. Tremblay, Ms. Giguère, Ms. Cloutier and Mr. Coulombe, answered questions.
At 6:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 6:52 p.m., the committee reconvened in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)e), to consider a draft agenda.
At 7:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Eric Jacques
Clerk of the Committee