Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 1 - Evidence - November 19, 2013
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 9:30 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-13, in order to hold an organization meeting.
[Translation]
Marcy Zlotnick, Clerk of the Committee: Honourable senators, as the clerk of the committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair.
[English]
I am ready to receive a motion for the nomination of the chair of the committee.
Senator Tannas: I move that Senator Patterson serve as chair.
Ms. Zlotnick: Are there any other nominations? I will put the question.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Tannas that the Honourable Senator Patterson do assume the role of chair of this committee. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms. Zlotnick: I declare the motion carried and invite the Honourable Senator Patterson to take the chair.
Senator Dennis Glen Patterson (Chair) in the chair.
The Chair: Thank you, colleagues, for the confidence you've placed in me to chair this important committee. I've been privileged to be on this committee since I was appointed to the Senate. I served under Senator St. Germain and Senator White, and I've always greatly admired the non-partisan, consensual approach that we've tried to work with on this committee. I pledge to do my best to continue that important tradition.
We have very great challenges to address with this committee. It's a privilege to work with all of you and I look forward to it.
We have some business to do, the most important being the election of deputy chair.
Senator Munson: Congratulations, chair, on your ascension to the throne. I'd like to nominate Lillian Dyck as deputy chair.
The Chair: Are there any other nominations?
If not, then, is it agreed that Senator Lillian Dyck will be the deputy chair of this Aboriginal Peoples Committee?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you. I very much look forward to working with her.
Now, we need to set up the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure. Could I have a motion 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 to schedule hearings?
Senator Raine: So moved.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Raine, seconded by Senator Meredith. Is there any discussion? Is it agreed that the subcommittee be established?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you. That's the so-called steering committee.
Senator Meredith: I just have a question. How is the next member chosen, or has that been pre-determined?
The Chair: It's done following consultation amongst the party leadership.
Senator Meredith: Okay.
The Chair: It is now necessary to authorize the publishing of the committee's proceedings. May I have a motion that the committee publish its proceedings?
Senator Meredith: So moved.
The Chair: We don't need a seconder in committee.
Is there further discussion? All in favour? Opposed?
Carried.
We also need authorization to hold meetings and to receive evidence when a quorum is not present. Can I have a motion that, pursuant to rule 12-17, the chair be authorized to hold meetings and to receive and authorize the publication of evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present?
The Chair: Senator Tannas and Senator Ngo. Any discussion? All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Opposed?
Carried. Thank you.
I think you all know our capable and long-time clerk, Marcy Zlotnick. She informs me that the committee is required to report on its expenses during the last Parliament.
Has this been circulated? You should have a copy of the report on expenditures. Are there any questions about the committee's first report?
Senator Munson: Has all this money been spent? I know these trips are all undertaken. We spent the full amount? This is it?
Ms. Zlotnick: That's everything we spent. We budgeted for more, but we didn't spend everything we asked for.
Senator Munson: I guess that is what I'm getting at. So we didn't spend as much —
Ms. Zlotnick: As we budgeted for.
Senator Munson: Would that go over to the next fiscal year?
Ms. Zlotnick: No.
Senator Munson: Thank you.
The Chair: Any further questions? Is there a mover that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 12-26(2)? Senator Munson. No seconder is needed.
Is there further discussion? Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: This report would then be tabled as early as today?
Ms. Zlotnick: Yes.
The Chair: Thank you very much.
Moving along, we're going to need research staff. I would like to ask for a motion that the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to 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.
Senator Meredith: So moved.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Meredith. Any discussion? Is the committee agreed that we assign research staff?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you. The Library of Parliament has already assigned staff, and I'd like to invite you to come to the table and please introduce yourselves.
Wren Nasr, Analyst, Library of Parliament: Good morning. My name is Wren Nasr. Pleased to be here.
Martha Butler, Analyst, Library of Parliament: Good morning, everyone. My name is Martha Butler.
The Chair: Thank you. We look forward to working with you.
Moving right along, next is the authority to commit funds and certify accounts. I need a motion that, pursuant to 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; that, pursuant to 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; and that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
It is moved by Senator Sibbeston. Is there any discussion?
Is it agreed that the chair, deputy chair and clerk be given authority to commit funds and certify accounts?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you.
The next housekeeping item is travel. It is requested 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.
Senator Meredith: So moved.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Meredith. Is there any discussion?
Is it agreed that steering be given the authority to expend money on travel?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you.
Next is the designation of members travelling on committee business. I'd like to ask for a motion that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized, first, to 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, second, to 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; and that the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
May I have a motion? Thank you, Senator Munson. Discussion?
Is it agreed that we designate members travelling on committee business?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you.
The next item relates to the travelling and living expenses of witnesses. I'd ask for a motion 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 that payment will take place upon application, but that the chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
Moved by Senator Ngo. Is there discussion?
Is it agreed regarding travelling and living expenses for witnesses?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you.
I'd like to ask for a motion concerning communications, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to direct communication officer(s) assigned to the committee in the development of communications plans where appropriate and to request the services of the Senate Communications Directorate for the purposes of their development and implementation; and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings at its discretion.
Senator Raine: So moved.
The Chair: Moved by Senator Greene Raine. Is there discussion?
Is it agreed that the committee establish powers related to communications?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: I'm pleased to let you know that Ceri Au is again assigned to our committee.
Thank you and welcome. I look forward to working with you again, Ceri.
The next item is the time slot for regular meetings. This is for information. Our committee time slots have been set for Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., as it was in the last Parliament.
Is there any other business? May I say in this connection that I'd like to have a short, preliminary discussion on study topics, but I think we could probably do that in camera. Is that advisable?
Is there any other business before I adjourn the meeting and we go in camera?
If there's no other business, then I would invite members to remain for a short in camera discussion of possible study topics, and we will suspend for five minutes.
Is it agreed that staff can remain?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(The committee continued in camera.)