Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 18, 2005
(29)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 12:16 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Di Nino, Fraser, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Milne, Mitchell, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (9).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Roberston and Megan Furi.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee met in camera for the purpose of consideration of a draft agenda.
At 1:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 31, 2005
(30)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met in camera at 9:34 a.m. this day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Furey, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Milne, Mitchell, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. and Stratton (11).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
It was agreed to wait for the response of the advocates for the Health Canada Scientists to the letter of the Chair requesting further information. In the meantime, the chair will advise the Minister of Health inquiring about actions taken with respect to paragraph 17 of the 5th report of this committee tabled in the 2nd session of the 36th Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(iii), the committee began its consideration of the issue of committee Chairs as members of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
It was agreed that the two caucuses be consulted on the question of membership on the committee of Internal Economy.
At 10:07 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 1, 2005
(31)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 12:13 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Di Nino, Furey, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., LeBreton, Maheu, Milne, Mitchell, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C., and Stratton (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Chaput, Corbin, Dyck and Watt (5).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
The Chair raised certain issues related to the business of the committee.
It was agreed to put the matter of membership of committee Chairs on Internal Economy in abeyance.
It was agreed to hear from Gary O'Brien and Heather Lank on clause-by-clause consideration of legislation next Tuesday.
At 12:30 p.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, the committee began its consideration of the motion that the Rules of the Senate be amended by replacing rule 32 with the following:
"32. (1) A Senator desiring to speak in the Senate shall rise in the place where that Senator normally sits and address the rest of the Senators.
(2) Any Senator who speaks in the Senate shall do so in one of the official languages.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a Senator desiring to address the Senate in Inuktitut shall so inform the Clerk of the Senate at least four hours before the start of that sitting of the Senate.
(4) The Clerk of the Senate shall make the necessary arrangements to provide interpretation of remarks made in Inuktitut into the two official languages.
(5) Remarks made in Inuktitut shall be published in the Debates of the Senate in the two official languages, with a note in the Journals of the Senate explaining that they were delivered in Inuktitut.
It was agreed to ask the Steering Committee to work on developing the issue further and to hear from Gary O'Brien about logistical implications.
At 1:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 7, 2005
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 9:33 a.m. this day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Di Nino, Furey, Joyal, P.C., Maheu, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. and Stratton (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Banks (1).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, the committee began its examination of the motion, that the Rules of the Senate be amended in rule 96 by adding, in subsection (7), the following: "In particular, clause-by-clause consideration of legislation shall not be dispensed with unless with leave.''
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
Gary O'Brien, Deputy Clerk and Principal Clerk, Legislative Services;
Heather Lank, Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate.
Dr. O'Brien and Dr. Lank made a brief presentation and answered questions.
It was agreed to have a report drafted with certain revisions for the next meeting of the committee.
At 10:30 a.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, the committee continued its examination of the use of languages other than English and French in Parliamentary Proceedings.
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
Gary O'Brien, Deputy Clerk and Principal Clerk, Legislative Services;
Serge D. Gourgue, Director General, Parliamentary Precinct Services.
Public Works and Government Services Canada:
Alain Wood, Acting Director, Interpretation and Parliamentary Translation, Translation Bureau.
Dr. O'Brien, Mr. Gourgue and Mr. Wood made a brief presentation and answered questions.
At 11:17 a.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, the committee continued its examination of the motion, that the Rules of the Senate be amended in rule 96 by adding, in subsection (7), the following: "In particular, clause-by-clause consideration of legislation shall not be dispensed with unless with leave.''
The committee agreed to revert to its Order of Reference respecting clause-by-clause consideration of legislation for further discussion.
At 11:23 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 8, 2005
(33)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met, at 12:20 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable David P. Smith, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Chaput, Di Nino, Fraser, Furey, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., LeBreton, Maheu, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C. and Stratton (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Corbin and Banks (2).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, James Robertson and Megan Furi.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, the committee continued its examination of the motion, that the Rules of the Senate be amended in rule 96 by adding, in subsection (7), the following: "In particular, clause-by-clause consideration of legislation shall not be dispensed with unless with leave.''
The committee considered a draft report.
It was agreed to amend the report to note the tradition of appropriate notice, and that Senator Smith and Senator Joyal be authorized to approve final version and that the Chair, then be authorized to report to the Senate.
At 12:45 p.m, pursuant to rule 86 (f)(iii), the committee began its consideration of the use of laptops by senators in the Chamber.
The committee reviewed the briefing note and discussed the issues involved.
At 1:10 p.m., pursuant to rule 86 (f)(iii), the committee continued its consideration of the issue of committee Chairs as members of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
The Chair reported on caucus response to the question.
At 1:20 p.m., the committee proceeded to consideration of future business.
It was agreed that the subject of quorum in committee be placed on the future agenda of the committee.
It was agreed that the working group on Aboriginal languages meet next week.
At 1:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee