THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Monday, January 25, 2021
(4)
[English]
Pursuant to the order of the Senate of December 10, 2020, the Committee of Selection met this day at 2 p.m. [ET], by videoconference, the chair, the Honourable Terry M. Mercer, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.
Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Downe, Duncan, Gold, P.C., Martin, Mercer, Omidvar, Plett, Saint-Germain, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Woo (11).
Other senators present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Dalphond and Griffin (2).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
In attendance: Marie-Ève Belzile, Principal Clerk, Evelyne Côté and Maxime Fortin, Procedural Clerks, Committees Directorate; David Sheppard, office of Senator Mercer.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 19, 2020, the committee continued its consideration of the motion to fill the position of Speaker pro tempore by means of a secret ballot.
The chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Dalphond made a statement.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee recommend to the Senate that, for the remainder of this session, the position of Speaker pro tempore be filled by means of a secret ballot.
After debate, it was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate with the committee’s recommendation.
At 2:10 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, the committee began its consideration on the allocation of office accommodations, pursuant to 4:03 2(2) of the Senate Administrative Rules.
The chair advised the committee of a request received from the Honourable Senator Anderson to move to room 907, Victoria Building, and the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure’s recommendation to approve the request.
It was agreed to approve the request from the Honourable Senator Anderson.
The chair advised the committee that a full briefing of the Office Allocation Guidelines would be forthcoming.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee would invite the Property Services Directorate to provide a briefing to the committee on the existing pool of offices and to provide information on how other jurisdictions manage their office allocations.
After debate, it was agreed that, until these guidelines are reviewed by the committee, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure would continue to review and approve office allocation requests and to report their decisions to the committee.
At 2:19 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 29, 2020, the committee continued its consideration on issues relating to meetings of either the Senate, or meetings of committees by videoconference or teleconference, to the coordination of such meetings, and facilitate or enhance their operations.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain proposed that the committee consider a recommendation to the Senate that the two standing joint committees be authorized to meet entirely by videoconference or in a hybrid format.
After debate, it was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate with a recommendation that the two standing joint committees be authorized to meet entirely by videoconference or in a hybrid format, subject to the House of Commons granting similar permissions.
The committee discussed their upcoming meeting dates.
At 2:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee