Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee
on Senate Modernization

Issue No. 9 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 15, 2017

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 15, 2017
(28)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization met this day at 12:02 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Thomas Johnson McInnis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Dean, Dupuis, Eggleton, P.C., Frum, Gagné, Gold, Greene, Joyal, P.C., Lankin, P.C., Massicotte, McCoy, McInnis, McIntyre, Stewart Olsen, Tardif and Tkachuk (17).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Mercer and Pratte (2).

In attendance: Sebastian Spano and David Groves, 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 Thursday, October 6, 2016, the committee continued its examination of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speakership of the Senate). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 8.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Kate Glover, Professor, Faculty of Law, Western University;

Benoît Pelletier, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Glover made a statement.

Mr. Pelletier made a statement and, together with Ms. Glover, answered questions.

At 1 p.m., the Honourable Senator Gold replaced the Honourable Senator Forest as a member of the committee.

The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen raised a point of order concerning the scope of a question being put to the witness.

After discussion, the question was withdrawn.

At 1:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Blair Armitage

Clerk of the Committee