Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 8, Minutes of Proceedings - May 1, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 1, 2014
(22)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 10:30 a.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Bob Runciman, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Boisvenu, Dagenais, Frum, Joyal, P.C., McInnis, McIntyre, Moore, Plett, Rivest and Runciman (12).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Jaffer (1).

In attendance: Robin MacKay 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 Monday, April 7, 2014, the committee continued its study of the subject-matter of Bill C-23, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 7.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Ian Lee, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University;

Louis Massicotte, Professor, Université Laval;

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Massicotte and Mr. Lee each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:53 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:12 p.m., the committee resumed in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room for the in camera portion of the meeting, and that communication via cellular or electronic devices not be allowed.

It was agreed to permit the recording and transcription of the in camera portion of the meeting, that one copy of the transcript be kept with the clerk and that the copy be destroyed at the end of the current parliamentary session.

The chair made a statement.

The committee discussed a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the chair inform the Senate about an alleged unauthorized disclosure of confidential committee proceedings.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to examine and report to the committee on the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorized disclosure of confidential committee proceedings.

At 12:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee