HAFF Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs met at 11:49 a.m. this day, in Room 112-N Centre Block, the Chair, Peter Adams, presiding.

John Reynolds moved, — That this Committee report to the House that based on historical precedent, a claim of privilege by a Member of the House of Commons to avoid appearing in court as a witness does not apply to a Member named as a defendant in a civil action; the privilege can be claimed, however, by a Member not named as a party but who was simply asked to appear as a witness; in relation to the case of Ainsworth Lumber Co. v. Canada (A.G.) and Paul Martin, the Member for LaSalle-Émard had no claim to such privilege; in relation to the case of Telezone Inc. v. Attorney General of Canada, such privilege could be claimed by the Member for Ottawa South; and that this Committee undertake a further review of this privilege as it relates to Parliament in the 21st Century.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Yvon Godin, Michel Guimond, Dale Johnston, Inky Mark, John Reynolds, Benoît Sauvageau, Werner Schmidt — 7; NAYS: Larry Bagnell, Marlene Catterall, Rodger Cuzner, Joe Jordan, Judi Longfield, Lynn Myers, Carolyn Parrish, Geoff Regan — 8.

John Reynolds moved, — That the Speaker, the Clerk of the House and Paul Martin be invited to appear before the Committee on this matter.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Yvon Godin, Michel Guimond, Dale Johnston, Inky Mark, John Reynolds, Benoît Sauvageau, Werner Schmidt — 7; NAYS: Larry Bagnell, Marlene Catterall, Rodger Cuzner, Joe Jordan, Judi Longfield, Lynn Myers, Carolyn Parrish, Geoff Regan — 8.

Joe Jordan moved, — That the Speaker, the Clerk of the House, and the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be invited to appear before the Committee on this matter.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

It was agreed, — That Eugène Bellemare be invited to appear before the Committee again on this matter, and that Members submit names of proposed witnesses to the Clerk no later than Thursday, November 6, 2003, at 5:00 p.m.

The Chair presented a letter dated October 28, 2003, from the Clerk of the House, to which were attached draft Standing Orders reflecting the provisions of Bill C-205, which received the Royal Assent on June 19, 2003.

Judi Longfield moved, — That the Chair present a report to the House recommending that the Standing Orders be changed to conform to the provisions of An Act to amend the Statutory Instruments Act (disallowance procedure for regulations), Statutes of Canada 2003, Chapter 18.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

At 12:34 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.