Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 26, 2009
(13)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 9:39 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, Carstairs, P.C., Duffy, Furey, Joyal, P.C., Keon, Losier-Cool, McCoy, Oliver, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. (11).

In attendance: Michel Bédard and Sebastian Spano, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, the committee continued its examination of the Senate committee system. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESS:

Library of Parliament:

Sonia L'Heureux, Assistant Parliamentary Librarian.

Mme L'Heureux made a presentation and answered questions.

At 11:03 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
(14)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day, at 12:20 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Brown, Corbin, Duffy, Fraser, Furey, Joyal, P.C., Losier-Cool, McCoy, Oliver, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (12).

In attendance: Michel Bédard and Sebastian Spano, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee continued its consideration of a draft report on the procedural considerations arising from the amendments to the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators.

WITNESS:

Senate of Canada:

Charles Robert, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.

Mr. Robert made a presentation and answered questions.

After debate, it was agreed that the report be adopted, as amended, and that the chair be authorized to present it in the Senate.

At 12:48 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, the committee continued its examination of the Senate committee system as established.

The committee agreed to invite committee chairs to make presentations on the subject at the next meeting of the committee and to extend the deadline for submission of the surveys sent to the office of each senator.

At 1:14 p.m., pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee continued its consideration of the printing of an updated version of the Rules of the Senate.

A draft budget was considered.

After debate, the budget was withdrawn.

At 1:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Blair Armitage

Clerk of the Committee