Proceedings of the Subcommittee to
Update "Of Life and Death"
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 30, 1999
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee to update "Of Life and Death" met this day in room 172-E, Centre Block, at 11:04 a.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Kirby and Pépin (4).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Corbin (1).
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Subcommittee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved -- That the Honourable Senator Carstairs be Chair of this Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs took the Chair of the Subcommittee and made some opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved -- That the Honourable Senator Beaudoin be Deputy Chair of this Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved -- That the subcommittee print 300 copies of its Proceedings and That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved -- That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided That a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved -- That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the subcommittee, and;
That the Chair, on behalf of the Subcommittee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair or in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Subcommittee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Beaudoin moved -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the Subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but That the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The subcommittee proceeded to the consideration of the subcommittee's meeting time.
After discussion, it was agreed -- That the regular time slot for the subcommittee be Tuesdays, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft budget.
It was agreed -- That the following budget be submitted to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for approval and submission to Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Professional and Other Services $1,850
Transportation & Communication $4,790
Other Expenditures $1,250
Total $7,890
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The subcommittee proceeded to discuss the workplan.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved -- That staff be directed to write to the provinces with respect to updating information in those provinces with respect to the unanimous recommendations found in the report.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was agreed -- That the staff be authorized to identify, contact and schedule witnesses with respect to the issues in the unanimous recommendations of the report and the progress of those unanimous recommendations in order to begin hearings in February 2000.
It was agreed -- That the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice be invited to appear before the subcommittee and That a letter be sent to each outlining the matters to which the Subcommittee would like them to speak and That members be sent copies of those letters.
At 11:29 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 8, 2000
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee to update "Of Life and Death" met this day in camera in room 157 East Block, at 10:07 a.m., the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, Chair, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, and Robichaud, P.C. (3).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Corbin and Roche (2).
The subcommittee proceeded to consider future business.
The Chair reviewed the witnesses and workplan.
It was agreed -- That, when possible, Monday meetings would start at 2:00 p.m.
The schedule and witnesses were approved, but it was agreed -- That changes could be made depending on the availability of witnesses.
The subcommittee reviewed and approved the format of the briefing notes prepared by the Library of Parliament.
It was agreed -- That, in addition to the witnesses approved, the subcommittee invite the Catholic Health Association and Professors Marguerite Somerville and Arthur Shafer to appear before the subcommittee.
The subcommittee discussed videotaping for television coverage, and it was agreed -- That CPAC be asked to broadcast the hearings gavel to gavel. It was also agreed That a disclaimer be included in the credits confirming -- That the meeting presently broadcast is part of a series of hearings.
The subcommittee reviewed the draft press release and, subject to a minor change, agreed to release it on February 14.
It was agreed -- That all decisions taken by the subcommittee in this meeting be included in the next printed Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee.
At 10:41 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Subcommittee
OTTAWA, Monday, February 14, 2000
(3)
[English]
The Subcommittee to update "Of Life and Death" met this day in room 257, East Block, at 2:01 p.m., the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, Chair, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Carstairs, Corbin and Pépin (4).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Roche (1).
In attendance: Mollie Dunsmuir and Nancy Miller-Chénier, Research Officers, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to its order of reference adopted in the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on Monday, November 29, 1999, the subcommittee commenced its examination of the developments since the tabling in June 1995 of the final report of the Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, entitled "Of Life and Death".
WITNESSES:
Professor Jocelyn Downie, Health Law Institute, Dalhousie University.
Professor Barney Sneiderman, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba.
The Chair made an opening statement.
Professor Downie made a statement.
Professor Sneiderman made a statement.
The witnesses answered questions.
At 2:49 p.m., the Honourable Senator Pépin took the Chair.
At 2:50 p.m., the Honourable Senator Carstairs resumed the Chair.
At 4:09 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Acting Clerk of the Subcommittee