Evidence of meeting #2 for Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was senate.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
John Maloney Liberal Welland, ON
In your presentation you indicated that members of the committee should note that if change cannot happen through reform, then the Senate should be abolished.
I have a question, perhaps to Mr. Newman. Would that require a constitutional change, if the desire of the government were to abolish the Senate?
Senior General Counsel, Constitutional and Administrative Law Section, Department of Justice
The minister would certainly be competent to answer that, but yes, it would require a constitutional amendment to abolish the Senate.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Albina Guarnieri
That will have to be the last word.
I'd like to thank the minister and the witnesses for enhancing our discussions today.
I'd like to especially thank the minister, because I understand you had to rearrange your schedule to appear today.
Conservative
Peter Van Loan Conservative YorkâSimcoe, ON
If I could, I do want to thank the committee again. Thank you for the opportunity to appear and for the respectful fashion under which I think this was conducted. I hope the committee will continue to do its work on this very important priority in the same vein.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Albina Guarnieri
Thank you, Minister.
This committee will meet next Wednesday.
The meeting is adjourned.