Proceedings of the Standing Committee on
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

Issue 2 - Evidence

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 9:30 a.m., pursuant to rule 86(1)(f)(i) of the Rules of the Senate, to give consideration to the reinstatement of bills and to the notice requirements for questions of privilege.

Senator David P. Smith (Deputy Chair) in the chair.

[English]

The Deputy Chairman: Honourable senators, unfortunately, the chair could not be here today and I was asked to step in as the deputy chair. We will be dealing with two proposed changes to the rules. The first change deals with the consideration of the reinstatement of bills, which is not a new item for the committee, but this is where we are in terms of its implementation. The second change relates to the notice requirement for questions of privilege.

Michel Bédard, from the Library of Parliament, who has been researching this topic, will provide a brief presentation of the proposed recommended changes to the rules.

The other issue, which our clerk has raised, is that it is common practice for the discussion of rule changes to be done in camera. There is a range of views on this issue. I just want to advise the committee that it is customary to proceed in camera. Personally, I am open-minded on the matter. Do any members wish to express a view on whether or not we proceed in camera?

Senator Fraser: In the case of the rules that we are talking about today, there is no problem, but I can imagine occasions when the rules that we would be considering would be more sensitive, perhaps based on personal cases that had created difficulties that we had to address, and we would not want to have those discussions in public. For those reasons — not for what is in front of us today — I would suggest an in camera practice in general.

The Deputy Chair: Is there a consensus that we proceed in camera?

Senator Joyal: Agreed.

The Deputy Chair: Does anyone have a concern?

Senator Nolin: No.

[Traduction]

Senator Robichaud: Are you moving that we sit in camera, Senator Joyal?

Senator Joyal: It is my understanding that when we debate a bill, generally speaking, we do so in camera. Since the reference on today's agenda is to draft reports, I think we should follow the same procedure that we always do.

Senator Robichaud: Fine then.

[Français]

(The committee continued in camera.)