Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 17, 2008
(5)
[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, Brown, Comeau, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Fraser, Joyal, P.C., Keon, Losier-Cool, McCoy and Robichaud, P.C. (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Kenny (1).
In attendance: Jack Stilborn and Michel Bédard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on May 29, 2008, the committee began its consideration of the Question of Privilege raised by the Honourable Gerald J. Comeau respecting the consideration of draft reports in committee.
WITNESSES:
Senate of Canada:
The Honourable Senator Gerald J. Comeau;
The Honourable Senator Colin Kenny;
Mark Audcent, Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel;
Heather Lank, Principal Clerk, Committees Directorate.
Senator Comeau made a brief presentation and tabled a memo and accompanying documents from the co-clerks of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence containing some information that was available in English only (5900-2.39/R1-I6, 4 «1»).
On a point of order, the chair ruled that the proceedings and testimony were within the scope of the question of privilege before the committee.
Senator Kenny made a brief presentation.
Mark Audcent made a brief presentation.
Heather Lank made a brief presentation.
Senator Fraser moved that the committee obtain a copy from Senator Comeau of his detailed remarks on the discrepancies between the final draft French version and the English version of the report; a copy of the French draft report as it existed at the clause-by-clause meeting; a copy of the English draft report as it existed at the beginning of the clause-by-clause meeting; a copy of Mr. Audcent's presentation; and a copy of the proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National and Defence's in camera review of the draft report and the proceedings on the delegation of final editing authority to its Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
After debate, Senator Cools moved that the motion be amended by adding to the documents to be collected the jurisprudence and other documents upon which the citations in Mr. Audcent's presentation were based.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The question being put on Senator Fraser's motion, as amended, it was adopted.
After further discussion, Senator Andreychuk moved that the committee also request the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of May 26, 2008, when the report was adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Senator Comeau tabled the copy of the English and French drafts of the report he received in response to his request for the French draft on May 27, 2008 (5900-2.39/R1-I6, 4 «2»).
At 11:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee