Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 11, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met at 1 p.m. this day, in room 256-S Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Beaudoin, Chaput, Comeau, Gauthier, Keon, Léger, Maheu and Munson (9).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Mary-Ève Hudon.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the Honourable Senator Chaput do take the Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Maheu:
That the Honourable Senator Keon be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Austin, P.C.:
That the Honourable Senator Jean-Robert Gauthier be Honorary Chair of the Committee and that this recognition be reported to the Senate.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Maheu:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the committee to be designated after the usual consultations; and
That the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Munson:
That the committee print its Proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger:
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 member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, that consideration of the committee's first report, prepared pursuant to Rule 104, be postponed until its next meeting.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the committee;
That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Léger:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair or the Clerk of the Committee; 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 committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, or the Clerk of the Committee.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Maheu, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Munson:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses' expenses, the committee 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 question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of it's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin:
That documents be distributed to the members and staff of this committee be distributed via electronic mail whenever possible.
The Chair informed the committee that the time slot for its meetings is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays.
At 1:30 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, February 16, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day in camera at 5:30 p.m., in room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Maria Chaput, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Chaput, Comeau, Gauthier, Keon, Lapointe, Léger, Maheu and Munson (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Corbin (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marie-Ève Hudon.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau, that staff be permitted to remain during the in camera session.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau, that the committee adopt the draft first report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Lapointe, that the committee adopt the draft second report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
At 6:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee