Proceedings of the Standing Joint Committee for the 
Scrutiny of Regulations

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 10, 2016

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 10, 2016
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[Français]

The Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations met at 8:35 a.m. this day, in room 256-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 12-13 of the Rules of the Senate and subsection 106(1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons.

Representing the Senate: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Black, Martin, Merchant, Moore and Runciman (6).

Representing the House of Commons: Harold Albrecht, Gary Anandasangaree, Vance Badawey, John Brassard, Nicola Di lorio, Pierre-Luc Dusseault, Ali Ehsassi, Fayçal El-Khoury, Garnett Genuis, Bernadette Jordan, Tom Kmiec and Geng Tan (12).

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

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

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

Senator Runciman moved:

That the Honourable Senator Merchant be joint chair of the committee for the Senate.

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.

Mr. Kmiec moved:

That Mr. Albrecht be joint chair of the committee for the House of Commons.

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.

Mr. Badawey moved:

That Mr. Anandasangaree be vice-chair of the committee.

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

Mr. Kmiec moved:

That Mr. Dusseault be vice-chair of the committee.

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

Senator Moore 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 government in the House of Commons, to be designated after the usual consultation;

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 Martin moved:

That the committee publish its proceedings in both official languages.

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

Senator Ataullahjan 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.

Senator Moore moved:

That the committee concur in the first report and that the joint chairs so report to their respective Houses.

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

Mr. Jordan 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.

Mr. Brassard moved:

That, at the discretion of the joint chairs, the committee reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization, with payment to 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.

Senator Ataullahjan moved:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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.

Senator Black 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.

Mr. E-Khoury moved:

That the committee regular time slot for its meetings be Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m.

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

At 8:46 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the joint chairs.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Acting Joint Clerk of the Committee (Senate)