THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 9, 2020
(3)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of November 17, 2020, the Committee of Selection met this day in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference at 1:21 p.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Terry M. Mercer, presiding. 

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senator Seidman (1).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Downe, Duncan, Martin, Mercer, Omidvar, Plett, Saint-Germain, Stewart Olsen and Woo (9).

Participating in the meeting:  Marie-Ève Belzile, Deputy Principal Clerk, and Evelyne Côté and Maxime Fortin, Procedural Clerks, Committees Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 19, 2020, the committee began its consideration of a motion to fill the position of Speaker pro tempore by means of a secret ballot.

The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved that the committee nominate the Honourable Senator Ringuette be Speaker pro tempore on an interim basis.

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

The committee considered an interim report on this motion.

The chair advised the committee of his intention to request the Senate’s authorization to meet during the January adjournment.

After debate, it was agreed that the this request not be included in the draft report and that the chair ask for leave to bring forward a motion on the Notice Paper during sitting of the Senate on Thursday, December 10, 2020.

After debate, it was agreed that the following text be included in the interim report:

Your committee recommends the following as an interim measure:

That, until the Senate decides otherwise, the Honourable Senator Ringuette be Speaker pro tempore on an interim basis; and

That, for greater certainty, the senator who may occupy the position of Speaker pro tempore on an interim basis be considered, for all purposes, to be occupying the position of Speaker pro tempore as provided for in the Rules. 

It was agreed that the report be adopted and that the chair present the report today to the Senate.

At 1:37 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee