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(Meeting No. 1)
MINUTES OF PROCEEDING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1997
The Special Joint Committee on the Amendment to Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland met at 3:40 p.m., this day, in room 308 West Block for the purpose of organizing.
Members of the Committee present: Pierre Brien, Gerry Byrne, Paul DeVillers, Michelle Dockrill, Raymonde Folco, Peter Goldring, Bill Matthews, Joe McGuire, Lawrence O’Brien, Rey Pagtakhan.
Acting Members present: Mauril Bélanger for Claudette Bradshaw, Jean Augustine for Sheila Finestone.
Representing the Senate: William C. Doody, Joyce Fairbairn, Philippe D. Gigantès, Landon Pearson, William Rompkey.
In attendance: From the Committees and Private Legislation Directorate of the Senate: Blair Armitage, Co-Clerk of the Special Joint Committee. From the Parliamentary Research Branch: Mollie Dunsmuir and Jack Stillborn, Research Officers.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on November 5, 1997 and by the House of Commons on October 28, 1997, the Committee met to consider matters related to the proposed resolution respecting a proposed Amendment to Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada concerning the Newfoundland school system.
On motion of William Rompkey, it was agreed –That the Honourable Senator Joyce Fairbairn be elected Joint Chair of the Committee.
The Joint Clerk of the Committee for the Senate declared Senator Joyce Fairbairn duly elected Joint Chair of the Committee.
On motion of Paul DeVillers, it was agreed – That Gerry Byrne be elected Joint Chair of the Committee.
The Joint Clerk of the Committee for the House of Commons declared Gerry Byrne duly elected Joint Chair of the Committee.
On motion of Rey Pagtakhan, it was agreed – That the proceedings of the Committee be broadcast, in consultation with members of the Committee, pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on November 5, 1997 and by the House of Commons on October 28, 1997.
On motion of Paul DeVillers, it was agreed - That the Committee print today's deliberations, and that the method of printing the Committee's future proceedings be considered by the Joint Chairmen.
On motion of Rey Pagtakhan, it was agreed – That the Committee adopt its proposed Budget for the fiscal year 1997-98, in the amount of $72,225 and that the Joint Chair present the said Budget to their respective financial authorities; and
That the Committee authorizes the Senate Joint-Chair to seek authorization from the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration to incur expenses up to $10,000 on an emergency basis.
On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed – That the Committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the Committee; and
That the Joint Chairs be authorized to retain the services of expert, professional, technical and clerical help as may be required by the work of the Committee; and
That the Joint Chairs, on behalf of the Committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed – That pursuant to the Senate and House of Commons guidelines for witnesses expenses, the Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than two witnesses from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
On motion of William Rompkey, it was agreed – That either Joint Chair or, in accordance with the direction of the Joint Chairs, either Joint Clerk, be authorized to approve payment of expenditures of the Committee.
On motion of Rey Pagtakhan, it was agreed – That the Joint Clerks of the Committee be authorized to distribute, in their original language, the documents received from the public and that the Joint Clerks of the Committee ensure that such documents are translated and promptly distributed.
On motion of Raymonde Folco, it was agreed – That the Standing Orders of the Chamber of the Joint Chair prevail while that Joint Chair presides.
On motion of William Rompkey, it was agreed – That the Joint Clerks be authorized, in consultation with the Joint Chairs, to order food, etc. whenever a Committee meeting is scheduled to extend into or over a meal period.
After debate, it was agreed – That the proposed schedule of meetings be adopted, subject to modification at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.
On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed – That Members have until Wednesday, November 19, 1997, 12:00 p.m. to submit to the Co-Chairs the names of any other witnesses.
At 4:55 p.m. o’clock .m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
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