THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 22, 2017
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:30 a.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 12-13.
[Translation]
Mark Palmer, Clerk of the Committee: Honourable Senators, I see we have a quorum. Pursuant to the order of the Senate adopted on November 7, 2017, there is a vacancy in the chair.
[English]
As clerk of this committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair. I am ready to receive a motion.
Senator Ataullahjan: I move that Senator Bernard be the chair elect of the committee.
Mr. Palmer: Are there any other nominations?
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan that the Honourable Senator Bernard do take the chair of this committee.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard (Chair) in the chair.
The Chair: Colleagues, thank you very much.
Honourable senators, does the committee wish to elect two deputy chairs pursuant to the motion adopted by the Senate on November 7, 2017?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
I will proceed with one election at a time. We will do them separately. I’m ready to receive the first motion.
Senator Pate: I nominate Senator Cordy.
The Chair: We have the first nomination for the first deputy chair.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Pate that the Honourable Senator Cordy be one deputy chair of this committee.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: I declare the motion carried.
I’m now ready to receive the next nomination.
Senator Pate: I nominate Senator Ataullahjan for the second deputy chair.
The Chair: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Pate that the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan be deputy chair of this committee.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: I declare the motion carried.
The next item on our agenda, then, is regarding the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, also known as steering.
I’m looking for a recommendation that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair and two deputy chairs.
Senator Pate: So moved.
The Chair: 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.
Senator Pate: So moved.
Senator Campbell: So moved.
The Chair: Who has moved that? I heard several people. Senator Pate.
Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Yes, agreed.
That concludes our official business for this morning. The steering committee will meet briefly, and we will be in touch with the next steps for this committee.
Thank you all very much for being here.
(The committee adjourned.)