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

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, April 7, 2003
(24)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met at 1:17 p.m. this day, in room 257 East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuck, Beaudoin, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Murray, P.C., Pépin, Ringuette, Rompkey, Smith, P.C. and Stratton (14).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Cools (2).

In attendance: 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 House of Lords:

Lord Williams of Mostyn, QC, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords;

Mr. Brendan Keith, Principal Clerk of the Judicial Office and Registrar of Lords' Interests.

Lord Williams, by video conference, made a brief opening statement and, with Mr. Keith, answered questions.

At 3:09 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 8, 2003
(25)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 9:39 a.m., this day, in room 160-S Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuck, Beaudoin, Di Nino, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Murray, P.C., Pépin, Ringuette, Rompkey, Smith, P.C. and Stratton (15).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Gauthier and Stollery (3).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson and Margie Young; from the Committees Directorate, Krista Durrell, Marcy Zlotnick; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Milne, Jeff Paul; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., Vincent MacNeil, Barbara Kagedan; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Fraser, Céline Éthier; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Peter Stieda; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., Mike Mercer; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., Nadine Wilson.

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 — That Senators' staff be permitted to remain for the purposes of the in camera consideration of a draft interim report.

At 12:05 p.m., the committee suspended

At 1:16 p.m., the committee resumed its hearings

It was agreed — That staff revise the draft interim report according to the agreements reached during the meeting, for further consideration by the committee.

At 4:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 9, 2003
(26)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 12:05 p.m. this day, in room 356-S Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Di Nino, Eyton, Fairbairn, P.C., Finnerty, Fraser, Grafstein, Hubley, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Murray, P.C., Ringuette, Rompkey, Smith, P.C. and Stratton (15).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C, Carstairs, P.C., Corbin, Gauthier and Kinsella (5).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Jamie Robertson and Margie Young; from the Committees Directorate, Krista Durrell, Marcy Zlotnick; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Milne, Jeff Paul; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., Vincent MacNeil, Barbara Kagedan, Michelle MacDonald; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Fraser, Céline Éthier; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Peter Stieda; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., Mike Mercer; from the Office of the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., Nadine Wilson.

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 — That Senator's staff be permitted to remain for the purposes of the in camera consideration of a draft interim report.

It was agreed — That the report as amended be adopted, and, — That the Chair table the interim report with the Clerk of the Senate.

It was agreed — That the final edit be delegated to Steering, and Senator Joyal for French revision.

At 2:40 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Blair Armitage

Clerk of the Committee