Proceedings of the Special Senate
Committee on Bill C-110
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, January 22, 1996
(1)
[English]
The Special Committee of the Senate on Bill C-110, An Act respecting constitutional amendments, met at 9:05 a.m. this day for the purpose of organization pursuant to Rule 89.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Carstairs, De Bané, Gauthier, Graham, Kinsella, Lynch-Staunton, MacEachen, Marchand, Meighen, Murray, Rivest and St. Germain. (14)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senator MacDonald (Halifax).
In attendance: From the Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mollie Dunsmuir, Law and Government Division; Brian O'Neal and Jack Stilborn, Political and Social Affairs Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved that the Honourable Senator Kinsella be Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The elected Chair was invited by the Clerk of the Committee to preside.
The Honourable Senator Beaudoin moved that the Honourable Senator De Bané be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be struck and that, in addition to the Chair, it also consist of the Honourable Senator Murray.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved the nomination of the Honourable Senator MacEachen to the Steering Committee.
The question being put on the motions, they were agreed.
The Honourable Senator MacEachen moved that the proposed schedule of hearings be adopted.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on division.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved that the Committee print 500 copies of its proceedings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, - That the Committee request the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the Committee, and
That the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses and summaries.
The Honourable Senator Gauthier moved that, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair or in his absence, the Deputy Chair; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II to the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, or the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gauthier moved that pursuant to Rule 103, reasonable travelling and living expenses be paid to witnesses invited to appear before the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Beaudoin moved that, pursuant to Rule 104, and Guideline 3:03 of Appendix II to the Rules of the Senate, emergency funds not exceeding $5,000 be requested; and
That the following budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and Other Services $4,900
All Other Expenditures 100
Total $5,000
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:24 a.m., the Committee recessed.
At 9:33 a.m., the Committee resumed and, pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on December 15, 1995, proceeded to consider Bill C-110, An Act respecting constitutional amendments.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Allan Rock, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Justice:
Mary Dawson, Associate Deputy Minister;
Warren Newman, Senior Counsel, Constitutional and International Law Section;
Louis Davis, Senior Counsel, Constitutional and International Law Section;
Thomas-Louis Fortin, Counsel, Constitutional and International Law Section.
The minister made a statement and with the witnesses, answered questions.
At 12:39 p.m., the Committee adjourned.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, January 22, 1996
AFTERNOON MEETING
(2)
The Special Committee of the Senate on Bill C-110, An Act respecting constitutional amendments, met at 2:03 p.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Noël A. Kinsella, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Carstairs, De Bané, Gauthier, Kinsella, Lynch-Staunton, MacEachen, Marchand, Meighen, Murray, Rivest and St. Germain. (13)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senator Berntson.
In attendance: From the Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mollie Dunsmuir, Law and Government Division; Brian O'Neal and Jack Stilborn, Political and Social Affairs Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Committee resumed its consideration of Bill C-110, An Act respecting constitutional amendments.
WITNESSES:
From the Council for Canadian Unity:
Peter G. White.
From the University of Ottawa:
Benoît Pelletier, Professor.
Peter G. White made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, - That the document entitled "How To Avoid The Coming Breakup Of Canada", presented by Peter G. White, as well as his statement, be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibits 5700-1.35 / C-110 "1" and 5700-1.35 / C-110 "2", respectively.
Additional names to be added to the witness list were suggested. It was agreed that the list should be closed.
Benoît Pelletier made a statement and answered questions
It was agreed, - That the presentation by Benoît Pelletier be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibit 5700-1.35 / C-110 "3".
At 5:15 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Timothy Ross Wilson
Clerk of the Committee