Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 10, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 10, 2014
(20)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 1:34 p.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, McIntyre, Moore, Plett and Runciman (9).

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.

WITNESSES:

Pirate Party of Canada:

Ric Lim, Representative.

Party for Accountability, Competency and Transparency:

Michael Nicula, Party Leader.

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Lim and Mr. Nicula each made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:19 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:03 p.m., the committee continued in camera, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), to consider a draft report.

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.

It was agreed to adopt a draft interim report on the subject-matter of Bill C-23.

It was agreed to append a minority opinion to the committee's interim report on the subject-matter of Bill C-23.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the interim report taking into consideration today's discussion and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.

It was agreed that pending the approval of the final version of the interim report by the steering committee, that the interim report and appendix be adopted and that the chair table the interim report in the Senate or with the clerk of the Senate.

At 3:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee