Evidence of meeting #1 for Medical Assistance in Dying in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was subcommittee.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:05 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
Thank you, Senator Wallin.
Is it agreed to adopt the motion?
(Motion agreed to)
If I may, I'd like to just quickly introduce our very capable analysts. The work we're about to do will continue, in a sense, from last session. For this session, it is very important.
I would like to first introduce Julia Nicol. She can turn on her screen so you may see her.
1:05 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
She is a lawyer who works as an analyst in the justice and national security section. She has worked at the Library of Parliament since 2009. She works primarily in criminal law, human rights, gender and foreign affairs, and has written a number of publications about medical assistance in dying. She has supported a variety of House of Commons and Senate committees, including the 2016 Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, as well as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. She has also worked for Health Canada on medical assistance in dying.
Thank you, Julia, for bringing your expertise to our committee.
Next, I will ask Marlisa Tiedemann to say a quick hello.
1:05 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
Marlisa is a lawyer who has been an analyst and manager with the Library of Parliament since 2004.
She has worked primarily in health law and indigenous affairs. She has worked on end-of-life issues throughout her career, including supporting the 2016 Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying and writing various publications on the topic. As a manager, she has supervised the team that works on social development-related issues, including disability-related issues.
As you can see, colleagues, we have two very capable analysts working with us.
Thank you.
Now I will turn this over to the joint chair, Monsieur Garneau.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Senator Martin.
That takes us to the second routine motion on the subcommittee on agenda and procedure.
Do I have a mover for the motion that the subcommittee on agenda and procedure be composed of the joint chairs and the vice-chairs, and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
1:10 p.m.
Marie-Françoise Mégie Senator, Quebec (Rougemont), ISG
Mr. Chair, I'd just like to ask a question. Is this when we nominate a committee member to the steering committee?
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Acting Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
No, right now we're dealing with the subcommittee. It's not the same thing.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
The amended motion reads as follows:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the joint chairs, the deputy chairs, the vice-chairs, one additional member from the Senate and one additional member from the government; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Mr. Maloney.
Do any members wish to speak to the proposed amendment?
1:10 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
Mr. Chair, earlier when Senator Mégie was asking about the steering, I had used the word “steering” but the subcommittee....
This is the discussion, Senator Mégie, so we will have a nomination of an additional senator to the subcommittee, which, in essence, will act like a steering committee.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Does anybody wish to speak to Mr. Maloney's proposed change?
I see Mr. Barrett.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I'd look to the mover, Mr. Maloney, for a rationale on the change. The composition of the committee in the pro forma seems consistent with past practices and that of other committees.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Thanks.
The rationale is as follows. As a matter of interest to you, those of us who were on this committee last June will remember that we adopted this amendment as I proposed. The amendment is consistent with standard operating procedure at committees in the world we live in, because as you know, the chair of a committee is always accompanied by one other member from their party. For example, if a Liberal is the chair of a committee, there will be another member, because the chair is put in the position at the subcommittee of running the meeting, and it gives the other person the ability to be a spokesperson and not add that to the chair's responsibility.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Mr. Maloney.
Is it agreed to adopt the motion as amended?
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
