Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and
Constitutional Affairs
Issue 29 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTTAWA, Wednesday, June 17, 1998
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Room 256-S, Centre Block, at 4:22 p.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lorna Milne, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Bryden, Buchanan, P.C., Carstairs, Doody, Gigantès, Grafstein, Joyal, P.C., Lavoie-Roux, Lewis, Milne, Moore and Nolin (13).
Other Senator Present: The Honourable Senator Berntson (1).
In attendance: Jamie Robertson, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Deborah Palumbo, Legal Counsel, Office of the Law Clerk.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 9, 1998, the committee commenced its consideration of Bill S-15, An Act respecting the declaration of Royal Assent by the Governor General in the Queen's name to bills passed by the Houses of Parliament.
WITNESSES:
The Honourable John Lynch-Staunton, Sponsor of the bill.
From The Monarchist League of Canada:
Mr. John Aimers, Dominion Chairman.
The Chairman made an opening statement.
The Honourable John Lynch-Staunton made a statement and, together with Deborah Palumbo, answered questions.
Mr. John Aimers made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed -- THAT the committee complete clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-15.
It was agreed -- THAT Clause 1 carry.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Joyal:
THAT Bill S-15 be amended in clause 2, on page 1, by replacing lines 12 to 14 with the following:
"is the first bill presented for assent in a session."
QUE le projet de loi S-15 à l'article 2, soit modifié, par substitution, aux lignes 13 à 15, page 1, de ce qui suit:
«loi de crédits présenté lors d'une session;»
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Lynch-Staunton:
THAT the motion be further amended to read:
"is the first appropriation bill presented for assent in a session."
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Joyal,
THAT Bill S-15 be amended in clause 3, on page 1, by replacing lines 17 to 20 with the following:
"ment by the Speaker of that House or by the person acting as the Speaker."
QUE le projet de loi S-15, à l'article 3, soit modifié par substitution, aux lignes 19 à 21, page 1, de ce qui suit:
«dent ou le suppléant de celui-ci.»
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was agreed, -- THAT Clauses 4 and 5 carry.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Joyal,
THAT Bill S-15 be amended
a) by adding after line 14, page 1 the following:
"3. A declaration of royal assent in the form and manner referred to in paragraph 2(a) must occur on at least one occasion in each calendar year."
b) renumbering the subsequent clauses accordingly.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Joyal,
THAT Bill S-15 be amended by adding after line 29, page 1 the following:
"7. No royal assent is invalid by reason only that section 3 is not complied with in any calendar year."
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed, on division.
It was agreed, -- THAT the Title carry.
It was agreed, on division, -- THAT Bill S-15, as amended, carry, Senator Grafstein having abstained.
It was agreed, on division,-- THAT Bill S-15 be reported to the Senate, as amended, Senator Grafstein having abstained.
The Honourable Senator Joyal made a statement.
At 6:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee