Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee
on Senate Modernization

Issue No. 3 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 4, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 4, 2016
(9)

[English]

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, Beyak, Cools, Eggleton, P.C., Greene, Joyal, P.C., Massicotte, McCoy, McInnis, McIntyre, Stewart Olsen and Tannas (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Gagné, Lankin, P.C., Pratte and Wells (4).

In attendance: Sebastian Spano, Analyst, 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 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:

Senate of Canada:

Heather Lank, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office;

Charles Walker, Procedural Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office.

Ms. Lank and Mr. Walker made statements and answered questions.

At 1:02 p.m. pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

The committee considered of a draft agenda.

It was agreed:

That the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portions of today's meeting, that one copy be kept in the office of the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members present or by the committee analysts; and

That the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 1:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee