Document Information

Date: 1980-10-30
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1980 at 1083.
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).

SENATE DEBATES — October 30, 1980

[Page 1083]

THE CONSTITUTION

MOTION TO APOINT SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE—MOTION IN AMENDMENT—DEBATE CONTINUED

The Senate resumed the debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Perrault:

That the Senate do unite with the House of Commons in the appointment of a Special Joint Committee to consider and report upon the document entitled “Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada” published by the Government on October 2, 1980, and to recommend in their report whether or not such an Address, with such amendments as the Committee considers necessary, should be presented by both Houses of Parliament to Her Majesty the Queen;

That ten Members of the Senate, to be designated at a later date, act on behalf of the Senate as members of the Special Joint Committee;

That the Committee have power to appoint from among its members such subcommittees as may be deemed advisable and necessary and to delegate to such subcommittees all or any of their powers except the power to report directly to the Senate;

That the Committee have power to sit during sittings and adjournments of the Senate;

That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records, and to examine witnesses and to print such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the Committee;

That the Committee submit their report not later than December 9, 1980.

That the quorum of the Committee be twelve members, whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken, so long as both Houses are represented and that the Joint Chairmen be authorized to hold meetings, to receive evidence and authorize the printing thereof, when six members are present so long as both Houses are represented; and

That a Message be sent to the House of Commons to inform that House accordingly; and

On the motion in amendment thereto of the Honourable Senator Donahoe, seconded by the Honourable Senator Murray, that the motion be amended by deleting the second paragraph thereof and substituting the following therefor:

“That fifteen Members of the Senate, to be designated at a later date, act on behalfof the Senate as members of the Special Joint Committee:”.

On motion of Senator Phillips, debate adjourned.

The Senate adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.