THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION

EVIDENCE

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Senate Committee of Selection met this day at 1:14 p.m. to nominate a senator to serve on the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

Senator Terry Stratton (Chair) in the chair.

[English]

The Chair: I call to order this meeting of the Selection Committee regarding the nomination of a senator to serve on the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

Do we have a nomination from the floor?

Senator Tkachuk: I move the nomination of Senator Judith Seidman.

Senator Robichaud: Why do we need to have a meeting of the Senate Committee of Selection to nominate another senator to sit on that committee?

The Chair: We have to fill the permanent membership of each committee. As a senator has retired, we have to fill their spot to comply with the Rules of the Senate.

Perhaps Senator Carstairs can help us.

Senator Carstairs: I think it is because the senator who has resigned is an independent, and we cannot replace an independent without having a meeting of a steering committee.

However, before we vote on this motion — and I have no objection to the nomination — what will be the numbers on the committee as a result of this decision?

The Chair: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources is a 12-member committee; I think it is 7-5 now.

Senator Carstairs: It was 7-4-1 and now it will be 7-5.

The Chair: Are there any other nominations?

As there are other nominations, I declare Senator Judith Seidman a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

This decision must be reported to the Senate.

Senator Carstairs: I move that it be reported to the Senate.

The Chair: Thank you.

Are there any other questions or comments?

(The committee adjourned.)