Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue No. 1 - Evidence - December 11, 2015
OTTAWA, Friday, December 11, 2015
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 2:11 p.m., pursuant to rule 12- 13 of the Rules of the Senate, to organize the activities of the committee.
[English]
Jessica Richardson, Clerk of the Committee: Good afternoon, honourable senators. As clerk of the committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair.
[Translation]
I am ready to receive a motion to that effect.
[English]
Senator Jaffer: I nominate Senator Runciman.
Senator Baker: Hear, hear. I second that motion.
Ms. Richardson: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms. Richardson: I invite the Honourable Senator Runciman to take the chair.
Senator Bob Runciman (Chair) in the chair.
The Chair: Thank you all. I appreciate the opportunity to return to this seat once again. It's quite an honour.
We will move now to the election of a deputy chair. Do we have a mover?
Senator Dagenais: I propose that Senator Jaffer be deputy chair.
Senator Baker: I second the motion.
The Chair: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, that Senator Jaffer be deputy chair of the committee.
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: You all have a series of motions in front of you. Rather than read them out, I'm simply going to call the number so that we can move through the agenda quickly. Are we in agreement with that?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 3 is about the steering committee.
Are we agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 4, related to publishing the committee's proceedings.
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Should we have official movers?
Ms. Richardson: We should have official movers.
The Chair: Senator Baker moved No. 3, and Senator McIntyre moved No. 4.
All in favour of No. 4?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 5, authorization to hold meetings and receive evidence when quorum is not present. Do we have a mover? Senator Baker.
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 6 deals with research staff, asking the Library of Parliament to assign analysts.
Senator McIntyre: I so move.
The Chair: Moved by Senator McIntyre. Any questions or comments?
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Our analysts will assume their seats as well.
No. 7 deals with the authority to commit funds and certify accounts. Moved by Senator Baker. No questions or comments.
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 8, which is a rarity for this committee, approving travel.
Senator Jaffer: I so move.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Jaffer. Comments, questions?
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 9, designation of members travelling on committee business.
Senator Dagenais: I so move.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Dagenais. Comments, questions?
Seeing none, all in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
No. 10 deals with the travelling and living expense of witnesses who appear before the committee. Any comments, questions? Senator Baker moves the motion.
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: No. 11, broadcasting. This is empowering coverage. Moved by Senator McIntyre. Are there any comments on that?
Senator Jaffer, you had a comment? No?
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator Jaffer: Chair, I have another motion, if I may.
The Chair: Can we wait until we finish the agenda?
Senator Jaffer: I apologize.
The Chair: No. 12 is the time slot for regular meetings, which is the same as we're used to — Wednesdays, 4:15-6:15, and Thursdays, 10:30 to 12:30. All in agreement?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Other business, Senator Jaffer.
Senator Jaffer: I move:
That each committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at an in camera meeting, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.
The Chair: No one has a problem with that motion? We're in agreement?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: We will move to the final item. I once again want to thank all of you for your support. I also look forward to working with all of you. There are a lot of familiar faces around the table.
I want to also welcome Senator Jaffer as the new deputy chair. She's a veteran of this committee and has made a real contribution over her time serving here.
I also want to comment on Senator Baker, who is the most recent deputy chair. We know, not only in that capacity but in his role as a member of this committee, what an enormous contribution he makes, and we look forward to him continuing to make it. Thank you, Senator Baker.
Thanks again to all of you. We wish you and staff and support folks around the table a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2016.
(The committee adjourned.)