Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 14, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 12:30 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Brown, Corbin, Cordy, Fraser, Grafstein, Joyal, P.C., Keon, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (10).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, Jack Stilborn and Michel Bédard, Analysts.
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.
The Honourable Senator Smith moved that the Honourable Senator Keon do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited the chair elect to take the chair.
The Honourable Senator Keon assumed the chair.
The chair presided over the election of the deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the Honourable Senator Smith be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin 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; 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.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved that the third member of the subcommittee be the Honourable Senator Robichaud.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Robichaud moved:
That the 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 Fraser 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 Smith moved that the 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 Cordy moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts 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.
The Honourable Senator Robichaud moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, 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 section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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 Corbin 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 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.
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved:
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of the members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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.
The Honourable Senator Robichaud moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its 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.
Meeting times of the committee were discussed and agreed.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be authorized to request transcripts for in camera meetings be produced, when deemed necessary, for the use of the chair, deputy chair, the clerk of the committee and its analysts in accurately reflecting the discussions of the committee in minutes and draft reports; and
That these transcripts be destroyed at the end of a session.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted upon.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved:
That the following legislative budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Professional and Other Services $ 9,750 Transportation and Communications 0 Other Expenses 0 Total: $ 9,750
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee discussed its future agenda.
After discussion, it was agreed that the Committee pursue the following items of business, pursuant to its authority under rule 86(1)(f)(i), that were not concluded at the end of the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament:
1) the matter of interpretation of Aboriginal languages in the Senate Chamber;
2) the reinstatement of bills, per the sixth report of the committee in 39-1; and
3) questions of privilege, per the fourth report of the committee in 39-1.
The clerk of the committee was directed to distribute related documents for the next meeting of the committee.
At 1:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 20, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 9:35 a.m., in room 356- S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Senator Keon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Angus, Brown, Champagne, P.C., Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Fraser, Furey, Joyal, P.C., Keon, Losier-Cool, Robichaud, P.C. and Smith, P.C. (14).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Watt (1).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, Jack Stilborn, Michel Bédard and James Robertson, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee considered the reinstatement of bills.
James Robertson made a brief presentation.
Senator Smith moved that the sixth report of the First Session be adopted and presented as the second report of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee considered the notice requirements for questions of privilege.
James Robertson made a brief presentation.
After discussion, Senator Robichaud moved that the fourth report of the First Session be adopted and presented as the third report of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i), the committee considered the use of Aboriginal languages in the Senate Chamber.
Senator Smith made a brief presentation.
After discussion, it was agreed to plan a trip to Iqaluit alone and not wait for the Assembly to be sitting when they visit.
Senator Corbin moved that the following budget application for the financial year ending March 31, 2008, (travel to Iqaluit) be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Professional and Other Services $ 0 Transportation and Communications 62,104 All Other Expenditures 0 Total: $ 62,104
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 11:10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the committee