Proceedings of the Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 25, 2003
(21)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 9:34 a.m. this day, in room 356-S Center Block, the Honourable Lorna Milne, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Pépin, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C. and Stratton (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Sparrow and Oliver (3).
In attendance: Charles Robert, Principal Clerk of Procedure; Mark Audcent, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; 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; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Peter Stieda.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
It was agreed to proceed in camera for the purposes of the consideration of a draft agenda.
It was agreed that staff remain
On request, Mr. Audcent briefed Honourable Senators on legal developments with respect to Canada (House of Commons) v. Vaid. Mr. Robert explained research that has been done and remains to be done with respect to the evolution, constitutional values and modern trends respecting privilege.
After debate, it was agreed that, under the direction of the Clerk of the Senate, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel prepare a legal opinion and that a background study on the subject of Parliamentary Privilege be prepared by the Principal Clerk of Procedure.
At 11:29 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 26, 2003
(22)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 12:14 p.m. this day, in room 160-S Center Block, the Honourable Lorna Milne, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Kroft, Milne, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C. and Stratton (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Oliver, Pitfield, P.C. and Sparrow (4).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson and Margie Young; from the Committees Directorate, Krista Durrell and Sandeep Mukerji.
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.)
WITNESS:
The Right Honourable Herb Gray, P.C., Q.C.
Mr. Gray made a brief opening statement and answered questions.
At 1:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee