Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on
Senate Modernization

Issue No. 11 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 5, 2017

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 5, 2017
(32)

[English]

The Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization met this day at 12:01 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Thomas J. McInnis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Dean, Dupuis, Eggleton, P.C., Forest, Greene, Joyal, P.C., Lankin, P.C., Massicotte, McCoy, McInnis, McIntyre, Stewart Olsen, Tardif and Tkachuk (15).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C. (1).

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 Friday, December 11, 2015, the committee continued its consideration of methods to make the Senate more effective within the current constitutional framework. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

House of Lords:

The Right Honourable The Lord Wakeham DL (by video conference);

The Lord Norton of Louth (by video conference).

As an individual:

Meg Russell, Director, Constitution Unit, Department of Political Science, University College London (by video conference).

The chair made a statement.

Lord Wakeham, Lord Norton of Louth and Ms. Russell each made statements and answered questions.

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

At 1:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Blair Armitage

Clerk of the Committee