Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on the
Anti-terrorism Act
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, May 8, 2006
(1)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act met this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 6:03 p.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Day, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., Munson, Smith, P.C., Stratton and Zimmer (7).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the special committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved that the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. be chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. took the chair of the committee and made some opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Day moved that the Honourable Senator Nolin be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. moved:
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 consultation;
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. moved that the special committee print its proceedings and that the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved:
That the special committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. moved:
That the special committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the special committee, and;
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 reference received by the committee;
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 in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the chair write to Benjamin Dolin on behalf of the committee to thank him for his contributions.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and 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, and the clerk of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Zimmer moved:
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 an 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.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the special committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than 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.
The Honourable Senator Munson moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee proceeded to the consideration of the committee's regular meeting times.
After debate, the committee agreed that its regular timeslot would be reviewed by the steering committee.
It was agreed that the Library Analysts prepare backgrounders on:
- the United States State Department's annual review of security initiatives;
- the judicial inquiry into Air India;
- the work of the House of Commons in reviewing the Anti-terrorism Act.
At 6:24 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, June 12, 2006
(2)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act met at 6:00 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, Fairbairn, P.C., Fraser, Jaffer, Kinsella, Nolin and Smith, P.C. (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Nancy Ruth, Prud'homme, P.C. and Stratton (3).
In attendance: Wade Riordan Raaflaub and Jennifer Wispinski, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, the committee began its comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Anti-terrorism Act (S.C. 2001, c.41).
APPEARING:
The Honourable Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety.
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada:
William Elliott, Associate Deputy Minister;
James Deacon, Director General, National Security Policy.
Department of Justice Canada:
Bill Pentney, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;
George Dolhai, Director/Senior General Counsel, Strategic Operations Section;
Stanley Cohen, Senior General Counsel, Human Rights Law Section.
Mr. Day and Mr. Toews each made statements and together answered questions.
At 7:40 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:42 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Pentney and Mr. Dolhai answered questions.
At 7:53 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:59 p.m., the committee resumed in camera pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) to consider a draft future agenda.
At 8:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee