Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 24, 2009
(1)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 10:05 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Duffy, Losier-Cool, Milne, Nolin, Oliver, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (9).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament: Michel Bédard and Jean-Rodrigue Paré, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Smith moved that the Honourable Senator Oliver do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited the chair elect to take the chair.
The Honourable Senator Oliver assumed the chair.
The chair presided over the election of the deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved that the Honourable Senator Smith be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nolin 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 schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool 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 Andreychuk 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Milne moved that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104(2).
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Nolin 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Losier-Cool moved:
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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Duffy 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 Nolin 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; 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 the members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Milne 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 Nolin 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 question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Meeting times of the committee were discussed and agreed.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be authorized to request transcripts for in camera meetings be produced, when deemed necessary, for the use of the chair, deputy chair, the clerk of the committee and its analysts in accurately reflecting the discussions of the committee in minutes and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith moved:
That the following legislative budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
| Profession and other services | $11 250 |
| Transportation and communications | 0 |
| Other expenses | 0 |
| TOTAL | $11 250 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee discussed its future agenda.
After debate, it was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure pursue the topics discussed, pursuant to its authority under rule 86(1)(f)(i), in developing a work plan for the committee.
At 10:59 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 10:04 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Duffy, Fraser, Keon, Losier- Cool, McCoy, Nolin, Oliver, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. (11).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Watt (1).
In attendance: Michel Bédard and Élise Hurtubise-Loranger, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The chair made some remarks respecting the business of the committee.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee began its consideration of the printing of an updated version of the Rules of the Senate of Canada.
WITNESS:
Senate of Canada:
Charles Robert, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.
At 10:15 a.m., Mr. Robert made a presentation and answered questions.
After debate, it was agreed that the updated Rules of the Senate be tabled in the Senate once finalized.
Mr. Robert made comments on proposed changes to the Table of Contents in the Order Paper.
After debate, it was agreed that the new format be approved.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee began its consideration of the progress report on the implementation of interpretation services for Aboriginal languages in the Senate chamber.
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
Charles Robert, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.
Translation Bureau Directorate:
Alain Wood, Director, Interpretation and Parliamentary Translation.
At 11 a.m., Mr. Robert made a presentation and answered questions.
It was agreed that Mr. Alain Wood be invited to assist in the answering of questions.
The committee discussed future business.
It was agreed that the revised draft rules be distributed to the members for consideration.
At 11:28 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee