THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 4, 2020
(2)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of October 27, 2020, the Committee of Selection met this day by videoconference at 6:00 p.m. [ET] the chair, the Honourable Terry Mercer, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Downe, Duncan, Gold, P.C., Martin, Mercer, Omidvar, Plett, Saint-Germain, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Woo (11).

Other senator present by videoconference: The Honourable Senator Black (Ontario) (1).

Participating in the meeting: Richard Denis, Clerk of the Senate; Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer; Gérald Lafrenière, Director, Governance and Strategic Planning; Till Heyde, Principal Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office; Blair Armitage, Principal Clerk, Marie-Ève Belzile, Deputy Principal Clerk and Gaëtane Lemay, Maxime Fortin, Keli Hogan and Joëlle Nadeau, Procedural Clerks, Committees Directorate; David Vatcher, Director, Information Services Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on October 29, 2020, the committee continued its consideration of recommendations to the Senate on issues relating to meetings of either the Senate, or meetings of committees by videoconference or teleconference, to the coordination of such meetings, and to measures that would facilitate or enhance their operations.

The chair made a statement.

Pursuant to rule 12-2(2), the Honourable Senator Downe moved that the following senators from the Canadian Senators Group be nominated to:

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans: The Honourable Senators Campbell and Richards;

The Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations: The Honourable Senator White;

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: The Honourable Senators Black (Ontario) and Mégie.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was agreed that the chair present a corresponding report to the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on October 29, 2020, the committee continued its consideration of recommendations to the Senate on issues relating to meetings of either the Senate, or meetings of committees by videoconference or teleconference, to the coordination of such meetings, and to measures that would facilitate or enhance their operations.

The Honourable Senator Plett moved that, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(c), the committee proceed in camera.

After debate, it was agreed that the committee continue in camera; that senator’s staff be permitted to participate in the in-camera portion of today’s meeting; that the committee allow the transcription of the in-camera portion of today's meeting; that a copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members; and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 6:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:12 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-26(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss personnel matters.

At 7:31 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:32 p.m., the committee resumed in public to continue their consideration on videoconference meetings.

Senator Saint-Germain proposed a draft motion recommending that all Senate committees have the power to hold hybrid and virtual committee meetings.

After debate, it was agreed that the draft motion be modified to include an end date and that hybrid meetings dealing with government legislation be prioritized over other meetings.

After debate, it was agreed that the draft motion be adopted in principle, with modifications; that the clerk be instructed to make the modifications as proposed today; that the revised draft be circulated to all members; and that the chair give a notice of a motion in the Senate at the earliest opportunity.

The question being put on the motion, as amended, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

Mercer, Duncan, Gold, Omidvar, Saint-Germain, Woo — 6

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

Martin, Plett — 2

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Downe, Seidman, Stewart Olsen — 3

At 7:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee