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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 51

Thursday, March 4, 1999

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 11:10 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Peter Adams, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Peter Adams, George Baker, Stéphane Bergeron, Marlene Catterall, Yvon Charbonneau, Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, André Harvey, Bob Kilger, Lynn Myers, John Richardson, John Solomon, Chuck Strahl and Randy White.

Acting Member present: Wayne Easter for Joe Fontana.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: James Robertson, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the House of Commons: Derek Lee, MP for Scarborough--Rouge River; As Individual: J.P. Joseph Maingot, Former Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel - House of Commons, and Author of "Parliamentary Privilege in Canada".

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of a request received pursuant to Standing Order 106(3) concerning the leak of committee reports prior to tabling in the House (see Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, February 11, 1999, Meeting no. 48).

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, - That the Committee discuss the Fourth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure prior to hearing the witnesses on the Order of the Day.

The Chair circulated copies of the Fourth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which reads as follows:

FOURTH REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON

AGENDA AND PROCEDURE

OF THE

STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS

Your Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure met in camera at 11:18 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 1999 in Room 112-N, Centre Block, the Chair, Peter Adams, M.P., presiding.

Members of the Sub-Committee present: Peter Adams, Stéphane Bergeron, Marlene Catterall, André Harvey and Chuck Strahl.

Acting Member present: Lorne Nystrom for John Solomon.

Also in attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Robertson, Research Officer.

Your Sub-Committee proceeded to the consideration of the Committee's future business and agreed to make the following recommendations:

  1. That the Committee commence its examination of the Questions of Privilege of February 17, 1999: that the matter of the molestation of the honorable Member for Saskatoon - Humboldt earlier this day be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and, the Question of Privilege of February 18, 1999: That the incident of February 17, 1999, relating to picket lines established to impede access to the Precincts of Parliament be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs as quickly as possible.
  2. That the Chair be authorized to schedule witnesses for this study and, that the Chair be authorized to call meetings on Wednesday afternoons, if necessary.
  3. That Diane Davidson, General Legal Counsel for the House of Commons, be called as the first witness to testify on the questions of privilege.
  4. That other witnesses to be called include the following: Jim Pankiw, MP (Saskatoon - Humboldt); John Reynolds, MP (West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast); Daryl Bean, President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC); Maj.Gen. Gus Clouthier, Sergeant-At-Arms, House of Commons and Joseph Maingot, former Parliamentary Law Clerk.
  5. That the Committee plan to report its findings and recommendations to the House before the Easter Recess.
  6. That the Committee meet to issue drafting instructions to the researcher concerning the draft report on the Leaks of Committee Reports immediately following its public meeting on Thursday, March 4, 1999 with a view to reporting to the House at the earliest opportunity.
  7. That the Clerk be authorized to order a working lunch for the Committee meeting on Thursday, March 4, 1999.
  8. That the Committee schedule a meeting for Monday, March 8, 1999, at 11:00 am, if necessary, to complete its drafting instructions for a report on the leaks of Committee Reports.
  9. That the Committee agree to hold an informal meeting/reception for the members of the Select Committee on Broadcasting, House of Commons, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, March 17, 1999 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and, that the Clerk in consultation with the Chair be authorized to order light refreshments for this event.
  10. That a working luncheon be held on Wednesday, March 3, 1999 for the Sub-Committee on Private Members' Business to be paid from the Committee's budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

At 11:56 a.m. the meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Adams, M.P.

Chair

 

On motion of John Richardson, it was agreed, - That the Fourth Report from the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be adopted.

The Committee commenced consideration of its Order of the Day.

Joseph Maingot made a statement and answered questions.

Derek Lee made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed, on division, - That the Committee suspend and re-convene in camera to issue drafting instructions to the researcher for the report on leaks of committee reports.

At 12:29 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:42 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Committee discussed its drafting instructions for the researcher.

At 1:39 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Carol Chafe

Clerk of the Committee