Proceedings of the Standing Joint Committee for the
Scrutiny of Regulations

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 26, 2009

OTTAWA, Thursday, February 26, 2009
(1)

[English]

The Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations met this day at 8:35 a.m., this day, in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate and subsection 106(1) of the standing orders of the House of Commons.

Members of the committee present:

Representing the Senate: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Cordy, Dickson, Eyton and Wallace (5).

Representing the House of Commons: Gérard Asselin, Earl Dreeshen, Christiane Gagnon, Royal Galipeau, Randy Hoback, Andrew Kania, Derek Lee, Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Andrew Saxton, Paul Szabo, Stephen Woodworth and Terence Young (12).

Also present: Maxime Ricard, Joint Clerk of the Committee (House of Commons); Peter Bernhardt, General Counsel, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The joint clerk presided over the election of the joint chair, Senate.

The Honourable Senator Bryden moved that the Honourable Senator Eyton be joint chair of the committee.

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

The joint clerk for the House of Commons presided over the election of the joint chair, House of Commons.

Derek Lee moved that Andrew Kania be joint chair of the committee.

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

The joint clerk for the House of Commons presided over the election of the vice-chairs.

Derek Lee moved that Royal Galipeau be vice-chair of the committee.

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

Christiane Gagnon moved that Brian Masse be vice-chair of the committee.

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

Derek Lee moved:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the joint chairs, the vice-chairs, one member from the other party in the Senate and one member from the other opposition party in the House of Commons to be designated after the usual consultation; and

That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings; and

That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.

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

Senator Jane Cordy moved:

That the committee print its proceedings; and

That the joint chairs be authorized to set the number to meet demand.

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

Derek Lee moved that the committee's general counsel review the unrevised transcripts of the proceedings of the committee.

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

Paul Szabo moved that the committee concur in the first report on Statutory Instruments Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-22, and that the joint chairs so report to their respective Houses.

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

Derek Lee moved 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.

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

Derek Lee moved that, at the discretion of the joint chairs, 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 joint chairs be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.

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

Royal Galipeau moved:

That the joint chairs be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the full committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings, at their discretion.

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

Derek Lee 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.

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

Derek Lee moved that the consideration of a process for designating when a member is travelling on committee business be referred to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

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

The joint chair informed the committee that the regular time slot for its meetings is Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. or earlier if it has concluded its business.

At 8:58 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the joint chairs.

ATTEST:

Denis Robert

Acting Joint Clerk of the Committee (Senate)