Proceedings of the Committee on 
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 18, 2003
(19)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 9:34 a.m. this day, in room 160- S Center Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Pépin, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C., and Smith, P.C. (9).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Sparrow (1).

In attendance: Charles Robert, Principal Clerk of Procedure; From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson and Margie Young; From the Committees Directorate, Krista Durrell.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 4, 2003, the Committee proceeded to study the motion of the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., that the documents entitled: ``Proposals to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Ethics Commissioner) and other Acts as a consequence'' and ``Proposals to amend the Rules of the Senate and the Standing Orders of the House of Commons to implement the 1997 Milliken-Oliver Report,'' tabled in the Senate on October 23, 2002. (For complete text of Order of Reference see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESSES:

From the Province of Alberta:

Mr. Robert Clark, Ethics Commissioner.

From the Northwest Territories:

Mr. Ted Hughes, Q.C., Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Mr. Hughes and Mr. Clark each made a brief opening statement and, together, answered questions.

At 11:12 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 19, 2003
(20)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 12:17 p.m. this day, in room 356-S Center Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C., Smith, P.C., and Stratton (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Gauthier and Sparrow (3).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson and Margie Young; from the Committees Directorate, Krista Durrell; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Milne, Jeff Paul and Barbara Kagedan; from the Office of the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C., Vincent MacNeil; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Fraser, Céline Éthier.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 4, 2003, the Committee proceeded to study the motion of the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., that the documents entitled: ``Proposals to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Ethics Commissioner) and other Acts as a consequence'' and ``Proposals to amend the Rules of the Senate and the Standing Orders of the House of Commons to implement the 1997 Milliken-Oliver Report,'' tabled in the Senate on October 23, 2002. (For complete text of Order of Reference see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue No. 5.)

It was agreed to proceed in camera for the purposes of the consideration of a draft agenda.

It was agreed to reschedule the witnesses from Westminster to an agreeable time after the April break.

At 1:25 p.m., the committee proceeded to consideration of its budget, in public session.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Grafstein, — That the committee approve the following budget application: