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

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 18, 1998
(7)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders met at 7:00 p.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Maheu, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, DeWare, Gigantès, Grafstein, Grimard, Joyal, P.C., Kelly, Lewis, Maheu, Milne, Pearson, Robertson, Rossiter and Stollery (15).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Atkins, Cohen, Cools, Ghitter, Jessiman, Moore, Nolin, Prud'homme, P.C., Rompkey, P.C., Sparrow and Stratton (11).

In attendance: Mr. Gary O'Brien, Clerk of the Committee, and other Senate officials.

WITNESS:

Mr. Neil Finkelstein, Lawyer, Blake, Cassels and Graydon.

The committee proceeded to its consideration of its Orders of Reference dated December 16, 1997 and February 12, 1998, concerning the Honourable Senator Thompson.

The Clerk of the Senate read a message received by fax from Mexico from Senator Thompson.

Mr. Finkelstein made a statement and answered questions.

After debate, it was agreed unanimously by a show of hands that Senator Thompson be found in contempt.

It was also agreed unanimously by a show of hands that pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, Section 59, the Committee recommend to the Senate that a Regulation be made and properly registered as follows:

"Where the Senate suspends one of its members from the service of the Senate, in addition to any deductions that may be made under the Parliament of Canada Act, there shall be deducted from the member's sessional allowance an amount equal to the amount of the sessional allowance otherwise payable for the period of suspension".

The Honourable Senator Milne moved -- That since your committee finds Senator Andrew Thompson in contempt, we recommend to the Senate that he be suspended for the remainder of the Session and that the matter of his expense allowance as found in the Parliament of Canada Act, be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for immediate action.

The question being put on the motion it was agreed on the following division by a show of hands: Yeas -- 13; Nays -- 1; Abstentions -- 1.

It was agreed that the steering committee be authorized to draw up a report for presentation to the Senate tomorrow based on the decisions taken this day.

At 9:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gary O'Brien

Clerk of the committee