Senator Dan Hays

SPEAKER’S REPORT

Fall 2004

Inside This Edition ...

Page 2 The : An example of Functional Adaptability

Page 3 Canada’s tenth minority government

Page 4 The Round-up: Speaker Dan Hays and Mrs. Kathy Hays met Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan during Canada Day and the her visit to Canada on June 16, 2004. In this photo, Her Imperial Highness sits in Judge Emily Murphy’s Stampede chair at the Famous Five Monument on Parliament Hill. Please see the Speaker’s website for more information about her visit. From left: Ambassador Hiroaki Fujii, Head of Suite, Special Assistant to Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Speaker Dan Hays; Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado; Mrs. Kathy Hays; Mrs. Takiko Hogen and Ambassador Kensaku Hogen. Page 5 A tribute to three Alberta senators; Dear Reader, Changing faces On October 4, 2004, the 38th Parliament began under the leadership of Prime Page 6 & 7 Minister . This is the first minority government in Canada since 1979 and I am pleased to continue serving as Speaker of the Senate and Parliamentary senator with the designation for Calgary, Alberta. Included in this Report are Diplomacy articles about the Senate and minority governments and the Senate as an example of functional adaptability. Page 8 Senate news My office launched a new website in August. It provides visitors with more information about the Speaker’s office, as well as resources for other govern- ment services. I encourage you to visit it at www.sen.parl.gc.ca/dhays.

As always, we look forward to hearing from you. Visit the Speaker’s Web site: Regards,

www.sen.parl.gc.ca/dhays Dan Hays Page 2 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004

The Senate of Canada: An example of functional adaptability

Since it was created in 1867, several important internal reforms since they eliminated several of the measures they could use to have helped the Senate of Canada modernize itself and play its slow the progress of government business. Chief among these role more efficiently. Among them are the creation of research controversial amendments were rules 38, 39 and 40. Rule 38 and discretionary budgets for individual senators; significant introduced a time limit on senators’ speeches, and was a major modifications to rules governing proceedings; the streamlining departure from previous practice. As for Rules 39 and 40, they of committees, and the television broadcast of committee delib- introduced the concept of time allocation in the Senate. erations. The adoption of Rule 18 was another major 1991 amendment, When I came to the Senate in 1984, and in fact until 1987, sena- and it concerned the Speaker’s authority. Although very similar tors had no research or discretionary budgets and were limited to Rule 16 of 1906, which allowed the Speaker to preserve or- to one staff member, which greatly restricted the range of the der and decorum, it clarified and enhanced that right. As well, issues they could consider, as well as their impact on the na- rule 18 (3) provides the Speaker with the authority to determine tion’s business. By comparison, members of the Commons when sufficient arguments have been made before he or she have been able to hire a second assistant since 1974. decides any question of privilege or point of order. These changes, though not radical, represent, as James R. Robertson The creation of a $3,077 discretionary budget in 1987 ushered has noted, a “continued evolution towards a more powerful role in a process that would lead to an unprecedented modernization [for the Speaker]” and significantly contributed to the orderli- of senators’ offices. By 1988-1989, discretionary budgets had ness of proceedings in the Chamber. been increased to $10,000 and senators were provided with a second budget for research contracts up to a maximum of Another significant example of the Senate’s modernization is $30,000 per senator. Many of them took advantage of this to the major restructuring of committees that took place in 1968. hire assistants on a contractual basis, And in 1996, research In an effort to streamline committee operations, the terms of assistants achieved full-time employee status and began receiv- reference and areas of jurisdiction were more clearly defined. ing comprehensive benefits. Some committees were abolished, such as Divorce, Railways, Telegraphs and Harbours, and Miscellaneous Private Bills, In 1997-1998, global budgets for senators’ offices were created, while others were created, such as Transport and Communica- and set at $90,000, by merging the secretary budget with the tions, and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. As well, member- research and office expenses budget. Today, the global budget ship was greatly reduced from the 25-member norm that had stands at $130,700. At about half the amount of office budgets previously been the case (some committees had grown to as in the Commons, which range from $234,600 to $251,400, many as 50 members). The result of this reform has been a senators’ global budgets provide value for the money by ena- committee system that is far more manageable and attentive to bling members of the Upper House to perform their various issues that concern . duties with help from administrative and research staff. The introduction of television to the Upper House is another Changes to the Senate’s rules and procedures have also made a important example of the institution’s continuing evolution. significant contribution to modernizing the institution. The first Although debate on this issue has been going on for many major change occurred in 1906, and among the more significant years, it was only in 1998 that Senate committee deliberations amendments was the creation of notices of inquiries and inquir- began to be regularly broadcast. It was then that a six-month ies. Inquiries appear unique to the Senate of Canada; they en- agreement was signed with the Canadian Public Affairs Chan- courage debate on issues without a question having to be sub- nel (CPAC), whereby 8 hours per week of committee delibera- mitted to the House for decision, and “sometimes result in the tions would be televised. In April 2004, a new agreement was establishment of a committee on the subject matter of the in- signed between CPAC and the Senate, whereby CPAC agreed quiry or the introduction of legislation.”1 However, the most to broadcast twenty hours of Senate proceedings per week when far-reaching amendment brought about in 1906 was the intro- the Senate is sitting. duction of rule 16, which granted new powers to the Speaker. Previous to the creation of this rule, it had not been the tradition This article has attempted to demonstrate that the Senate of in the Senate for the Speaker to maintain the dignity of the Canada has evolved over time by implementing various internal House or deciding on points of order unless another senator reforms. Though the examples chosen are by no means exhaus- asked him to do so. tive, I certainly hope they have helped you see the Senate of Canada as a modern, effective and responsive institution. The second major change to Senate rules occurred in 1991, as a ______result of the debate over the creation of the Goods and Services 1 Gary W. O’Brien, "The Senate Order Paper", Tax. Though many of the new rules were necessary and non- Canadian Parliamentary Review, Vol. 4, issue 4, 1981. controversial, opposition senators vehemently opposed others, Page 3 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004

and a bill abolishing the death penalty. Although fewer bills Canada’s tenth generally pass through Parliament during minority govern- ments, since they require a great deal of discussion, negotiation minority government and consensus building with the opposition parties, they can be said to be of a very high quality, given all the work put into On June 28, 2004, Canadians elected a minority government for them. the first time in 25 years, creating a great deal of speculation over the administration’s duration, legislative agenda and abil- So where does the Senate fit in all this? Although it isn’t a con- ity to govern. fidence chamber which determines whether a government stands or falls, the Senate does feel the effects of a minority Minority governments basically occur when no party manages government in various ways. For example, since the govern- to obtain a plurality of seats in the House of Commons, which ment’s agenda depends on careful negotiations with opposition is to say 155 of the 308 seats. In such circumstances, the gover- parties, fewer bills, and even fewer contentions ones, are likely nor general asks the party with the most seats to form the gov- to be sent to the Senate. One benefit of this would be the greater ernment, as happened in this case, when the Liberals elected time afforded senators to carefully examine and consider legis- 135 MPs.1 lation. Furthermore, in a minority context, the government, which has a majority in the Senate, may attempt to pressure Although minority governments are the exception in Canadian senators not to amend bills due to the compromises already politics, since our first-past-the-post electoral system tends to negotiated with the opposition in the Commons. The challenge favour majorities, they have occurred several times since Con- in this case is for senators to balance the government’s need to federation2 and often produced significant reforms. They have pass legislation with their duty of providing sober second lasted an average of one year five months and 27 days, and only thought, as well as perspective, balance and careful considera- one minority government, that of Mackenzie King between tion of the long-term interests of all Canadians. 1921 and 1925, ran a full term. As for the last minority govern- ment, that of Prime Minister Joe Clark, it lasted only 9 months, With the prime minister committed to fulfilling his campaign being defeated in December 1979 over a budget vote. promises on improved Medicare, the creation of a national child-care program and increased funding for cities, and with The main challenge for minority governments is securing oppo- agreement from all opposition parties to co-operate, the upcom- sition party support for votes on matters of confidence, which ing session promises to provide a very stable, effective and pro- generally include budgets, spending estimates, tax increases and ductive government. throne speech. Failure to obtain such support generally results in a new election. However, it is interesting to note, as Peter ——————— Dobell has said, that “only three of the nine minority govern- ments fell as a result of a vote in the House that the government was unable to avoid. [While] Five of the other minority govern- ments fell on the initiative of the sitting prime minister and sixth on a vote that was welcomed by the government.” 1 Against 99 for the Conservatives, 54 for the Bloc Québécois, 19 for the New Democrats and 1 Independent. To secure that support, minority governments have various op- tions, including the formation of coalitions, the negotiation of 2 There has been 10 minority governments since Confederation: formal or informal understandings with opposition parties, or 1873, 1921, 1925, 1957, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1972, 1979, 2004. the ad hoc approach, which seeks to establish majorities on a shifting and issue-driven basis. At times, some minority gov- ernments have even chosen to govern as though they had a ma- Visit the Speaker’s Web site: jority. Prime Minister Martin, for his part, has ruled out any form of coalition, choosing instead to govern on an issue-to- www.sen.parl.gc.ca/dhays issue basis. Comments? Contact us at: Since they require opposition party support, it is often said of minority governments that they are weak, ineffective and un- Senator Dan Hays Senator Dan Hays productive. However, past experience suggests that they have in Speaker of the Senate 650, 1207-11 Ave. fact implemented several significant reforms, ones that are now Parliament Hill SW integral to the Canadian way of life. For example, Prime Minis- , Ontario Calgary, Alberta ter Pearson’s two minority governments (1963-1968) passed a K1A 0A4 T3C 0M5 total of 265 government bills, including the Canada Pension Plan, Medicare, the Canada Assistance Plan, Student Loans and 1.800.267.7362 403.244.3111 the Canada Labour Code. As for Prime Minister Trudeau’s mi- 613.995.3286 [Fax] 403.244.3128 [Fax] nority government (1972-1974), it passed 58 government bills, including the Canada Wildlife Act, the Family Allowances Act, Email: [email protected] Page 4 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004

The Alberta Round-up

federal, provincial and municipal governments of Alberta, as well as industry and community leaders in Calgary attended the BBQ. The federal parliamentarians included Members of Par- liament Deepak Obhrai, Jason Kenney, Art Hanger, Rob An- ders and newly elected MP Jim Prentice; and Senators Jane Cordy, Joe Day and . Members of the Provin- cial Legislative Assembly included Wayne Cao and Shiraz Shariff, while Deputy Mayor Diane Colley-Urquhart and Coun- cillor Barry Erskin attended on behalf of the City of Calgary.

On Sunday, July 11, diplomats attended the 54th annual Hays Breakfast. The event, co-hosted by Roy Jennings, Bud and Don Watson and Graham and Larry O’Connor in Heritage Park, was attended by almost 4,000 guests including Conservative leader Stephan Harper. The diplomats then attended an afternoon ro- deo at the Stampede grounds. Celebrating the Stampede are Mrs. Allison Fernandes and Mr. Aurelio M. Do Carmo Fernandes, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Calgary; This visit provided the diplomats with an opportunity to interact Shiraz Shariff, MLA for Calgary McCall; and Her Excellency M.N. with political, business and community groups, and Speaker Geethangani De Silva, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka. Hays was delighted to have this opportunity to share Western Canadian heritage and hospitality. The Calgary Stampede

Visitors from all over the world came to Calgary and enjoyed Calgary’s warm western hospitality and the Stampede from July 9 to 18, 2004. Over 1.2 million visitors attended events at the Stampede grounds, setting a new attendance record.

Ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats were among those who participated in the “greatest outdoor show on earth”. Speaker Hays and House of Commons Speaker Peter Milliken once again invited members of the diplomatic com- munity to Calgary.

On Saturday, July 10, Halvar Johnson, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Gov- ernment of Alberta hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting diplomats. Later in the day, Speaker Hays and Kathy Hays, as well as Speaker Milliken hosted a BBQ dinner at the Hays resi- dence. At the event, the guests were treated to delicious Al- American Ambassador Paul Cellucci and Mrs. Janet Cellucci meet Mr. berta prime beef and musical entertainment provided by the John Lau, President of Husky Energy, and Mrs. Heather Lau at the King’s Own Calgary Regiment band. Representatives of the Hays Breakfast.

July 1st Canada Day Festivities

Senator Hays celebrated Canada Day at several different events in Calgary. He spent the morning at the Celebrate Canada Breakfast at the Safari Lodge of the Calgary Zoo. The Zoo and Calgary Canada Day Committee presented visitors with an array of activities, such as country western music and Celtic dancing. Senator Hays gave Canada Day greetings on behalf of the Parliament and the Government of Canada, and also presented Zain Hami, Michelle Woo and Katie Labey with Canada Youth Awards.

Senator Hays brought Parliament’s greetings at the City of Calgary’s Canada Day festivities at Prince’s Island Park in the afternoon. The beautiful weather once again drew record crowds. The festivities included many different activities, such as face painting, mar- tial arts demonstrations, and arts and crafts.

It was a great way to celebrate Canada’s birthday. Page 5 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004

Tributes to three retiring Alberta senators

The following are a few words about the important contributions made by three retiring Alberta senators:

The Honourable Nicholas William Taylor The Honourable Douglas James Roche, O.C.

The Hon. Nick Taylor represented Bon Accord and Sturgeon, The Hon. Doug Roche represented Edmonton, Alberta in the Alberta in the Senate from 1996 to 2003. Senate from 1998 to 2004.

Senator Taylor, a geologist and geophysicist by training, has Senator Roche is well known for being a successful journalist, been deeply committed to public service throughout his life. educator, politician and diplomat. He left a budding journalistic He has served at all three levels of government, first as a school career to serve as a Progressive Conservative MP for Edmonton trustee for the Calgary Separate School Board and then, later, as from 1972 to 1984. He was subsequently appointed Canada’s a provincial MLA, a leader of the provincial Liberal Party and a ambassador for disarmament to the United Nations and served leader of the opposition. as chairman of the United Nations Disarmament Committee. Senator Roche, an independent member of the Senate, argued As a senator, he served on numerous committees and was Chair for disarmament and development during his tenure in the Sen- of the Subcommittee on Boreal Forest and the Standing Com- ate. In particular, he was an active member of the Social Af- mittee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. fairs, Science and Technology committee as well as its subcom- Fellow Albertan senator Tommy Banks was appointed chair of mittee to update “Of life and death”. He recently wrote his 16th the committee upon Senator Taylor’s retirement. book, The Human Right to Peace.

Senator Taylor is remembered by his senator colleagues for his powerful character and dedication to Alberta. Changing Faces

on Parliament Hill

The Honourable Thelma J. Chalifoux On June 8, a memorial service was held in the Senate Chamber honouring parliamentarians who have recently passed away. The Hon. Thelma Chalifoux served as a senator for Alberta Former senators, the Hon. Peggy Butts (), the Hon. from 1997 to 2004. Ernest Cottreau (Nova Scotia) and the Hon. Jack Marshall (Newfoundland), have passed away in 2004. A number of Senator Chalifoux, of Morinville, is a mother to seven children, privy councillors have also passed away in 2004, including: 30 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. An active mem- the Hon. Mitchell Sharp, the Hon. Pierre Sévigny, the Hon. ber of the Métis Nation of Albert for over four decades, she was Eric Kierans, the Hon. James Richardson and the Rt. Hon. Al- the first Aboriginal woman and first Métis woman to become a vin Hamilton. I extend my sympathies to the friends and fami- senator. lies of these former Parliamentarians.

Senator Chalifoux worked tirelessly to improve the condition of Seven of my Senate colleagues have also retired in 2004. I Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and poor during her time in the congratulate them for their contributions : the Hon. Leo Kolber Senate. For instance, she chaired the Standing Committee on (Victoria, QC); the Hon. Gérald Beaudoin (Rigaud, QC); the Aboriginal Peoples, which produced a thorough report on urban Hon. (Highlands, NS); the Hon. Brenda Aboriginal youth. She also spurred public debate about the role Robertson (Riverview, NB); the Hon. Eileen Rossiter (Prince of Louis Riel in the history of Canada by introducing two bills Edward Island); the Hon. Richard Kroft (Manitoba); and the to recognize him as a Métis patriot and Canadian hero. Hon. Edward Lawson (British Columbia).

Senator Chalifoux’s spirit and efforts to defend the interests of On February 2, 2004, I was pleased to preside over the swear- those typically under-represented in government will be missed ing-in of two new senators. The Hon. Terry Mercer represents by her Senate colleagues. Northend Halifax, Nova Scotia in the Senate. Senator Mercer served as the National Director of the Liberal Party from 1995 to 2003. Prior to working with the Liberal Party, he held a variety of positions with various charitable institutions. The Hon. Jim Munson represents Ottawa-Rideau Canal, Ontario in the Senate. Senator Munson, a well respected journalist, re- cently served as Director of Communications to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Page 6 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004 Parliamentary Diplomacy

Uganda South Africa

Speaker Hays, Senator David Smith (Cobourg, Ontario) and Speaker Hays attended the inauguration ceremonies of Presi- Deputy Clerk of the House of Commons, Ms. Audrey O’Brien, dent Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria, South Africa, from April 26 to attended the mid-year Executive Committee meeting of the 29, 2004. Mbeki was re-elected in South Africa’s third multi- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Kampala, racial elections on April 14, 2004 for his second and final five- Uganda, from April 18 to 24, 2004. Speaker Hays represented year term in office. This trip coincided with the 10th anniver- Canada by bringing greetings at the Official Opening and par- sary celebration of the end of apartheid. Since then, South ticipated in the EXCO meetings. Africa has become Canada’s key partner in Africa, particularly in promoting policy and economic reform on the continent. In August 2004, Speaker Hays and the Hon. Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, hosted the subsequent The Speaker was pleased to attend a working dinner with South Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Ottawa, Quebec Africa’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, City and Toronto. and Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa, Sandelle Scrimshaw.

France Organization of American States

th Speaker Hays next paid a working visit to Paris, France where Speaker Hays headed Canada’s delegation at the 34 General he met with the President of the French Senate, Mr. Christian Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Poncelet; the two first met in March 2002. During this meeting, Quito, Ecuador, from June 6 to 8, 2004. The OAS brings to- they discussed challenges Canada and France face, including gether the countries of the Western Hemisphere to strengthen issues of security and terrorism, government reforms and inter- cooperation and advance common interests, such as trade, secu- th parliamentary relations. President Poncelot and Speaker Hays rity and governance. Specific initiatives discussed at the 34 agreed that Canada and France, as well as other countries, need General Assembly included support for de-mining, the peace to develop a common strategy against terrorism and extremism, process in Central America, human rights, elections monitoring, through multi-lateral means. CICAD, CICTE, negotiations for the Draft American Declara- tion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the OAS mission Speaker Hays also met with the Secretary-General of the in Haiti. OECD, the Hon. ; the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the OECD, the Hon. Jocelyne Speaker Hays and the Canadian delegation were pleased with Bourgon; the Director for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. the outcomes of the General Assembly, including: the adoption Stefan Tangermann; and other experts from OECD. They dis- of a constructive resolution addressing the crisis in Haiti; the cussed some of the positive developments of the OECD, includ- election of Canadian Jean-Paul Hubert to the Inter-American ing progress on making a more effective decision-making proc- Juridical Committee and Alain Dupuis to the Administrative ess, and a five-year sunset clause on committees created to Tribunal; and the adoption of the Declaration of Quito on So- study various policy areas. cial Development, Democracy, and the Impact of Corruption which seeks to implement existing anti-corruption commit- Speaker Hays ended his visit to Paris by meeting staff from the ments. World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), whose mission is to guarantee the transparency of animal disease status world- Speaker Hays also held bilateral meetings with Bolivia, Chile, wide. Speaker Hays used this occasion to ask OIE staff about Ecuador, the President of the Inter-American Human Rights the recent BSE incidents in Canada and the US. The organiza- Commission José Zalaquett, OAS Secretary General Gaviria, as tion insisted that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is ac- well as with representatives of the Rights and Democracy, Am- tively participating in OIE efforts in risk mitigation. nesty International and the International Coalition of Organiza- tions for Human Rights in the Americas.

Page 7 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004

Dominican Republic

Speaker Hays attended the inauguration ceremonies of Leonel Fernandez, the Dominican Republic’s newly elected president from August 14 to 17, 2004. President Fernandez was elected in May 2004, promising austerity, economic prudence, educa- tion, health and healthcare reform. In a meeting with Speaker Hays, President Fernandez indicated that he views Canada as a Speaker Hays meets with His Excellency M. Sung-Joon Yim, key partner and ally in the transformation of his country. He Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic highlighted the FTA with Canada, the important of our inter- of Korea. ventions to maintain sociopolitical stability, and is hoping for Canada’s help on his “connectivity” agenda. Diplomatic Corner The trip provided Speaker Hays with the opportunity to meet with individuals and organizations who have strengthened ties Speaker Hays had the honour of meeting many dignitaries between Canada and the Dominican Republic. This included a since the last publication of the Speaker’s Report. Some of his trip to Consuelo, a poor community that has traditionally served visitors included: the sugar industry. The Speaker visited the schools, cultural His Excellency Dr. Otto Ditz, Ambassador of centre, old persons home and a technical facility established by the Republic of Austria Canadian nuns from Scarborough and funded by Rotary Can- Her Excellency Veronika Stabej, Ambassador of ada. the Republic of Slovenia The Honourable Dragoljub Micunovic, President of The Speaker also attended a luncheon at the Residence of the the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro US Ambassador and met with the presidents of Columbia, His Excellency Volodymyr Mykhailovych Lytvyn, President of President Alvaro Uribe Velez, and Costa Rica, President Abel the Verkhovna Rada Pacheco, as well as US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Venne- Mr. Randolph Mank, Ambassador of Canada to man. The Speaker and Secretary discussed the remedial proc- the Republic of Indonesia ess and timeliness regarding the closure of the US borders to Mr. Gennady D. Oleiuik, Chairman of the Committee on the Canadian cattle, beef and related products because of two BSE Northern Territories and Indigenous Minorities of the cases in Canada and the US. Later that evening, Speaker Hays Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian met with some keys ministers from the new government, in- Federation cluding the Speaker of the Senate, Lic. Andrés Bautista Garcia, Her Excellency Juliette Bonkoungou, Ambassador of and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco the Embassy of Burkina Faso Osoria, at a state dinner. The Honourable Valerij Zorkin, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Delegation Dr. José G. Armorin Batlle, Speaker of the Chamber of Council of Europe Representatives of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Mr. Jelko Kacin, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy of the National Assembly of Slovenia Speaker Hays attended the European Council of Presidents of His Excellency Peter Nicholas Rateng’Oginga Ogego, Parliaments in Strasbourg from May 17 to 19, 2004. The con- High Commissioner for the Republic of Kenya ference, hosted by President of the Parliamentary Assembly of His Excellency M. Sung-joon Yim, Ambassador Extraordinary the Council of Europe, Mr. Peter Schieder, discussed “Europe and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea of Citizens: Parliaments and Citizenship Participation”. The His Excellency Arturo G. Bothamley, conference helped to advance understanding of issues relevant Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to both European and North American parliaments, such as His Excellency Suvidhya Simaskul, views on the compatibility of modern technology with democ- Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand ratic procedures and better means for increasing co-operation His Excellency Carlos Antonio Carrasco, between the national Parliaments and Assemblies. Speaker Ambassador of the Republic of Bolivia Hays also used this occasion to conduct bilateral discussions, His Excellency Mariano Alejandro Snarez Pasquel, including meetings with Mr. Herman De Croo, President of Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador Belgium’s House of Representatives, and Mr. Sergey Mironov, Ms. Marie-Madeleine Kalala, the President of Russia’s Council of the Federation. Minister of Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of Congo Page 8 Speaker’s Report Fall 2004 Senate News

Honouring First Capital Day in Kingston Funeral of the Hon. Mitchell Sharp, P.C., O.C.

Senator Hays joined the Hon. Peter Milliken, MP for Kingston Senator Hays attended the funeral of the Hon. Mitchell Sharp and the Islands, at a family picnic in Kingston, Ontario, to cele- on March 27, 2004. Sharp, native of Winnipeg, was the MP for brate its history as Canada’s first capital. Kingston was Can- Toronto’s Eglinton riding from 1963 to 1978. He served in ada’s capital following the Union of the Canadas from 1841 to cabinet in several portfolios, including Trade and Commerce 1843. The capital then moved among Kingston, Montreal, (1963-1966); Finance (1965-1968); External Affairs (1968- York and Quebec City for over 25 years before Ottawa was 1974); and as President of the Privy Council (1974-1976). No- chosen as capital in 1857. First Capital Day honours the impor- tably, Sharp was the Minister of Finance when Medicare was tant contribution that Kingston and its citizens, such as Sir John created and was later Secretary of State for External Affairs A. Macdonald, have made to the evolution of Canada. when the government established relations with China and be- gan new dialogue with Europe and Japan. At age 82, after Visit of HIH Princess Takamado about 50 years of public service, Sharp signed on as a $1-a-year personal adviser to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan visited 1993, and served in that role until December 2003. Sharp is Canada from June 7 – 21, 2004. Her trip to Canada coincided remembered as an honourable senior statesman. with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic presence between Can- th ada and Japan and included visits to Alberta, the unveiling of a Celebration of the 20 year of the photo exhibit of her late husband Prince Takamado and a visit Korea-Canada Society to the Famous Five Monument. Speaker Hays was honored to receive the Princess at Parliament Hill. The late Prince Ta- Speaker Hays and Young-Hae Lee, President of the Korea- kamado studied at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada Society, co-hosted a reception celebrating the 20th year and devoted a good deal of his time fostering Canada-Japan of the Korea-Canada Society on March 23, 2004. The Society relations. This trip was Princess Takamado’s first official visit was formed to promote bi-lateral friendship, understanding and abroad since her husband’s sudden passing in 2002. cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Korea. The Society recently launched an Advisory Council to make Cana- Thanking the 2003-2004 Senate pages dians more aware of Korea, Korean issues and the importance of the two countries’ relationship in respect to research, devel- Speaker Hays hosted a luncheon in honour of the 2003-2004 opment and trade. Speaker Hays, a member of the Advisory Senate pages at Algonquin College on May 31, 2004. 15 uni- Council, was pleased to welcome leading persons in the Cana- versity students serve as pages each year, assisting senators in dian government, business, research and academic communities the Senate Chamber and in committees. The Speaker used this to Parliament Hill to provide input. occasion to acknowledge the energy and enthusiasm of the de- parting pages and congratulate the returning pages as well as Première of Le Dernier Tunnel new chief page, Davy Coyle, and the new deputy chief page, Dustin Milligan. Over the course of the spring, Senator Hays On March 8, 2004, Senator Hays attended a premiere of the also had the pleasure of meeting with many other visiting stu- movie Le Dernier Tunnel at the Théâtre du Casino in Gatineau, dents, such as the Parliamentary guides and interns, Senate Quebec. It is a “made in Quebec” crime film, inspired by a real summer students and US Congressional Fellows. life attempt to tunnel into a Montreal bank in the early 1990s. The film is directed by Erik Canuel and stars Michel Cote as Launching of La constitution du Canada well as the Hon. Jean Lapointe. Lapointe, who has represented Saurel, Quebec in the Senate since June 2001, is a highly re- Former Senator Gérald Beaudoin launched the third edition of garded singer, comedian, raconteur and actor. his book La Constitution du Canada on March 29, 2004. The Hon. Gérald Beaudoin represented Rigaud, Quebec, in the Sen- ate from September 1988 until his retirement on April 15, 2004. He has gained the respect and admiration of all those who have known him through his career, as a lawyer, public servant, pro- fessor and parliamentarian. In this book, Senator Beaudoin traces the evolution of our constitution from 1867. In particu- lar, he looks at three domains of constitutional law, including the institutions of the state, the division of powers and rights and freedoms; reflecting his many years of study and practice.