Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 4, 1997
(2)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders met in camera at 2:10 p.m. this day, the chairman, the Honourable Shirley Maheu, presiding.

Members of the committee present: Bosa, Doyle, Grimard, Maheu, Milne, Pearson, Petten, Robertson and Rossiter (9).

The committee proceeded to the consideration of the report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

It was agreed that the following report of the subcommittee be adopted:

The Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure has the honour to present its

FIRST REPORT

Your subcommittee met on Tuesday, October 28, 1997 to review possible items for consideration of the Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders in the coming weeks. In attendance were the Honourable Senators Bosa, Maheu (chairman) and Rossiter (representing Senator Robertson).

Your subcommittee recommends that the following items be placed on the agenda of the Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders Committee:

1. Proposed New Rules for Joint Committee

At the instigation of Senator Brenda Robertson, an informal working group composed of representatives of the Senate Rules Committee and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs was established in 1995 to work on the development of a set of common procedural rules for joint committees. Following its discussion, the informal working requested that the staff of the Senate and House of Commons prepare draft wording of amendments to the Rules of the Senate and the Standing Orders of the House of Commons. The work of the informal working group was unable to be completed during the second session of the 35th Parliament.

At the recommendation of the subcommittee, the chairman wrote to the chairman of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Mr. Peter Adams, M.P., to ascertain whether the House committee is interested in pursuing the issue of establishing a common set of procedural rules for joint committees. A copy of the letter is attached.

2. Restructuring Senate committees

In September, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration circulated to all senators a document entitled "Reforming the Senate Sitting Schedule and Restructuring Committees" which your subcommittee reviewed.

Your subcommittee notes that the question of restructuring Senate committees has been an agenda item of this committee for some time. On June 9 1994 the Rules Committee adopted a motion that "the committee study the existing committee structure of the Senate, including select and joint committees, and that the committee suggest changes concerning the number of members sitting on each committee, the methods leading to their appointment and their replacement on a full-time or part-time basis and the committee examine the possibility of reducing the committees that have closely related activities; and any other recommendation pertinent to the good operation of committees." A questionnaire on committees was sent to all Senators as part of its study of the committee structure of the Senate.

Your subcommittee recommends that at this time the Rules Committee examine two related questions concerning the restructuring of committees: a) should the size of Senate committees be reduced to a smaller number, for example, nine (9) senators; and b) should independent senators be members or associate members of committees or subcommittees?

3. Attendance Register of Senators

On May 10, 1992, following the adoption by the Senate of a report of the Standing Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, the Clerk of the Senate was charged with the responsibility of maintaining a public attendance register of all senators. The register provides basic information about the presence of senators at sitting of the chamber or its committees.

Since it has been over five years since the Register was established, it is appropriate that it be reviewed. Your subcommittee recommends that the chairman and other senators selected by the chairman be authorized to work with the Clerk of the Senate to review this issue and return to the committee with a report.

4. Time Limits on Speeches

Rule 37(3) states that the sponsor of a bill and the first senator speaking immediately thereafter shall be permitted forty-five minutes each for debate. Your subcommittee notes that on other debates such as those dealing with constitutional amendments senators other than the Leader of the Government or Leader of the Opposition are restricted to fifteen minutes. Your subcommittee feels the general issue of fairness in the time limits put on speeches be examined.

5. Tributes

Your subcommittee recommends the issue of establishing certain guideline or rules concerning the issue of senators paying tribute to other persons be examined.

Respectfully submitted,

SHIRLEY MAHEU

Chairman

At 3:00 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gary O'Brien

Clerk of the of the Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders Committee