Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 23, 1999
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 9:05 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purposes of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Chalifoux, Christensen, DeWare, Gill, Pearson, Sibbeston and Watt (9).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Katharine Dunkley and Mary Hurley.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Election of Chair
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Pearson moved, --
That the Honourable Senator Watt be Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The clerk invited the Chairman elect to take the Chair.
The Chair presided over the election of the Deputy Chair.
Election of Deputy Chair
The Honourable Senator DeWare moved, --
That the Honourable Senator St. Germain be Deputy Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure
The Honourable Senator Austin 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 schedule hearings; and
That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Motion to print the Committee's Proceedings
The Honourable Senator Austin moved, --
That the committee print 250 copies of its proceedings and That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Authorization to hold meetings, to print evidence when quorum is not present
The Honourable Senator Austin 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 representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Financial Report
The Honourable Senator DeWare moved, --
That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chair be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Research Staff
The Honourable Senator Austin moved, --
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers 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 resolved in the affirmative.
Authority to commit funds and certify accounts
The Honourable Senator Pearson moved, --
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair or in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair; 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 Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
Travel
The Honourable Senator Pearson 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; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized 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
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 resolved in the affirmative.
Travelling and living expenses of witnesses
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Austin, --
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses 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 resolved in the affirmative.
Electronic media coverage of public meetings
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Chalifoux, --
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 resolved in the affirmative.
Time slot for regular meetings
The clerk informed the committee that the time slots for its meetings are 9:00 a.m. Tuesday mornings and 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays.
Future Business of the Committee
At 9:15 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera to consider future business.
Adjournment
At 10:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 30, 1999
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera, at 9:05 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, to review the draft report on Aboriginal governance.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Chalifoux, Gill, Johnson, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C., Sibbeston and Watt (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Wilson (1).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Consultant: Alex Ker.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
It was agreed, That the Chair present a motion in the Senate to extend the reporting date in the order of reference to February 17, 2000.
At 11:20 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 7, 1999
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera, at 9:10 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Chalifoux, Christensen, DeWare, Gill, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C., and Watt (8).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Consultant: Alex Ker.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 24, 1999, the committee continued its examination on aboriginal self-government.
The committee continued its consideration of a draft report.
At 11:05 a.m., the committee continued its meeting in public.
The following budget was considered:
APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION
SPECIAL STUDY ON ABORIGINAL SELF GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
| PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES | $ 14,250 |
| OTHER EXPENDITURES | $ 1,000 |
| TOTAL | $ 15,250 |
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved an amendment to line object 0415, working meals, to reduce the amount from $1,000 to $500.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Pearson moved the adoption of the budget, as amended.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
The committee discussed future business.
At 11:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 14, 1999 (4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera, at 9:10 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Christensen, DeWare, Gill, Johnson, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C., Sibbeston and Watt (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Wilson (1).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Consultant: Alex Ker.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 24, 1999, the committee continued its examination on Aboriginal self-government.
The committee continued its consideration of a draft report.
At 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 15, 1999
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera, at 3:40 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.
Members of the committee present: Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Christensen, DeWare, Gill, Johnson, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C., Sibbeston and Watt (10).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Consultant: Alex Ker.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 24, 1999, the committee continued its examination on aboriginal self-government.
The committee continued its consideration of a draft report.
It was agreed, --
That the next draft of the report be circulated to all members in early January, and That members should then forward their revisions and comments to the clerk by January 17, 2000.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, --
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to approve final revisions to the report.
The committee discussed future business.
It was agreed, --
That the Chair review with the new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development the scope of the Aboriginal women's issues study That was proposed by former Minister Stewart in the spring of 1999.
At 4:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Jill Anne Joseph
Clerk of the Committee