Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee
on Senate Modernization

Issue No. 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 13, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 13, 2016
(5)

[Translation]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Cools, Eggleton, P.C., Frum, Greene, Johnson, Joyal, P.C., Massicotte, McCoy, McInnis, McIntyre, Stewart Olsen, Tannas and Tardif (14).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Cowan, Pratte and Sinclair (4).

In attendance: Sebastian Spano, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 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:

As individuals:

Paul Thomas, Professor Emeritus, University of Manitoba (by video conference).

Stéphane Beaulac, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal.

Donald Desserud, Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts, University of Prince Edward Island.

Errol Mendes, Professor, Faculty of Law — Common Law, University of Ottawa.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Thomas, Mr. Mendes, Mr. Beaulac and Mr. Desserud made statements and answered questions.

At 1:48 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee