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

Issue 4 - Order of Reference

Extract from the Rules of the Senate of Canada:

Rule 86(1)(f):

The Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders, composed of fifteen members, four of whom shall constitute a quorum, which is empowered

i) on its own initiative to propose, from time to time, amendments to the rules for consideration by the Senate;

ii) upon a reference from the Senate, to examine and, if required, report on any question of privilege; and

iii) to consider the orders and customs of the Senate and privileges of Parliament.

Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Wednesday, October 13, 1999:

Pursuant to rule 43(8), the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the question of privilege of the Honourable Senator Kinsella in respect to a witness who appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on agriculture and Forestry.

Debate.

SPEAKER'S RULING

As I ruled on September 9, in my view, the honourable senator did establish a prima facie case and can therefore proceed with the motion referring the matter to committee.

The Honourable Senator Kinsella moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator DeWare:

That the question of privilege in respect to a witness who appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders, when that Committee is established, for investigation and report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Paul C. Bélisle

Clerk of the Senate