Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - December 11, 2015

OTTAWA, Friday, December 11, 2015
(1)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 8:03 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purposes of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 12-13.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Frum, Munson and Plett (4).

In attendance: Julia Nichols and Jean-Philippe Duguay, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to rule 12-13, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved:

That the Honourable Senator Munson do take the chair of this committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Munson took the chair.

The chair made a statement.

The Honourable Senator Munson moved:

That the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan be deputy chair of this committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was agreed 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 to schedule hearings.

It was agreed that the committee publish its proceedings.

It was agreed that, pursuant to rule 12-17, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the publication of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the opposition and the Senate Liberals be present.

It was agreed that the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the committee;

That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills, and estimates as are referred to it;

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.

It was agreed 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.

It was agreed 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.

It was agreed 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 an 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 members of the committee travelling on committee business.

It was agreed 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.

It was agreed 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 chair informed the members of the time slot for the committee.

After debate, it was agreed that the committee seek permission to meet as needed on Thursdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in addition to its regular Monday time slot.

At 8:12 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee