Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Fisheries and Oceans
Issue 23 - Evidence - June 9, 2015
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, to which was referred Bill C-555, An Act respecting the Marine Mammal Regulations (seal fishery observation licence), met this day at 6:52 p.m. to give clause-by-clause consideration to the bill.
Senator Fabian Manning (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: I would like to welcome honourable senators. We are meeting to begin consideration of C-555, An Act respecting the Marine Mammal Regulations (seal fishery observation licence).
Further to the committee's decision last Tuesday, Mr. Greg Kerr, MP, was invited to appear this evening in his capacity as sponsor of C-555. Unfortunately, Mr. Kerr is not able to be with us today, and I'm told he's unavailable next week. I would remind members it is unusual to conduct clause-by-clause consideration of a bill without first hearing from witnesses, particularly the sponsor. Therefore, honourable senators, I'm in your hands as to whether we should proceed this evening.
Senator Stewart Olsen: I say we proceed.
The Chair: Do we have consensus to proceed with the bill this evening?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: I would like to remind senators of a number of points. If at any point a senator is not clear where we are in the process, please ask for clarification. I want to ensure that at all times we have the same understanding of where we are in the process.
I would also like to remind senators that some amendments that are moved may have consequential effects on other parts of the bill. I refer senators again to Beauchesne 698(2), which notes the following:
An amendment must not be inconsistent with or contradictory to the bill as so far agreed to by the committee; nor must it be inconsistent with a decision which the committee has given upon a former amendment.
The committee is the ultimate master of its own business within the bounds established by the Senate, and a ruling can be appealed to the full committee by asking whether the ruling shall be sustained.
Finally, I wish to remind honourable members that if there's any uncertainty as to the results of the voice vote or show of hands, the most effective route is to request a roll call vote, which obviously provides unambiguous results. Senators are aware that a tied vote negates the motion in question.
Are there are any questions? If not, is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-555?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clause 1 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Does committee wish to consider appending observations to the report?
Hon. Senators: No.
The Chair: Is it agreed that I report the bill to the Senate?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Is there any further discussion?
Hon. Senators: No.
(The committee adjourned.)