Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue No. 30 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 8, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 8, 2017
(74)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:29 a.m., 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, Duffy, Dupuis, Griffin, Joyal, P.C., McIntyre, Omidvar, Pate, Pratte, Runciman and White (14).
In attendance: Robin Mackay and Maxime Charron-Tousignant, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-236, An Act to recognize Charlottetown as the birthplace of Confederation.
WITNESSES:
The Honourable Senator Diane F. Griffin, sponsor of the bill.
As an individual:
Edward MacDonald, Professor, Department of History, University of Prince Edward Island.
The chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Griffin and Mr. MacDonald each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-236, an Act to recognize Charlottetown as the birthplace of Confederation.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the short title in clause 1 stand postponed.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Griffin moved:
That Bill S-236 be amended in clause 2, on page 2, in the French version, by replacing line 4 with the following:
"est reconnue et déclarée comme étant le berceau de la Confé-''.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
After debate, it was agreed that clause 2 as amended carry.
The Honourable Senator Griffin moved:
That Bill S-236 be amended, on page 2, by adding after line 4 the following:
"3 For greater certainty, nothing in this Act constitutes a designation within the jurisdiction of the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency under the Parks Canada Agency Act.''
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
The chair asked whether the preamble shall carry.
The Honourable Senator McIntyre moved:
That Bill S-236 be amended in the preamble, on page 1, by replacing line 9 with the following:
"and grew out of the Charlottetown Conference form part of''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator McIntyre moved:
That Bill S-236 be amended in the preamble, on page 1, by replacing lines 23 and 24 with the following:
"anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, which, along with the Quebec Conference of 1864 and the London Conference of 1866-1867, led to the promulgation of the Constitution Act, 1867;''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the preamble, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill, as amended, carry
It was agreed that Bill S-236 be reported with amendments to the Senate.
At 11:48 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:51 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the committee continued its study on matters pertaining to delays in Canada's criminal justice system. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceeding of the committee Issue No. 1.)
At 12:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee