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HALIFAX, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2002

SELECT COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES

1:00 P.M.

CHAIRMAN

Hon. Michael Baker

MR. CHAIRMAN: I would like to call this meeting of the Select Committee on Establishing an Electoral Boundaries Commission to order. We have two items of correspondence that comprise the business for the committee this afternoon and the first is a letter of August 15, 2002, which I believe all members have, from Dr. J. Colin Dodds, asking for an extension of the mandate of the committee to propose its report until Monday, September 16, 2002. The second is a letter of August 27, 2002, from Dr. Dodds, which indicates his proposal for making public the report.

Perhaps we could deal with the first item of business which is the issue of extension of the mandate of the committee. There is a draft resolution which I think has been circulated, or will be circulated by the Legislative Counsel in a moment or two. The courier awaits, so timing is everything in life. It is going to be circulated momentarily.

HON. NEIL LEBLANC: Mr. Chairman, since we have a specific date of September 4^th, are we just going to add . . .

MR. CHAIRMAN: I think he wants to continue that, he still would like to continue with that date simply because . . .

MR. LEBLANC: In case something goes awry?

MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, the committee's cost, I think, is the issue because his mandate, of course, for expenses ceases on the date of the resolution.

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Chairman, I move that motion.

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MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. MacDonald moves the motion.

MR. LEBLANC: Do we need a seconder?

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, I don't think we need a seconder. Is there any further discussion on that motion? There being none, I would call for the question. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The level of co-operation is spine-tingling this afternoon.

The second issue, which is the issue of the proposal by Dr. Dodds to make public his report. I was wondering if it might be appropriate, because he is asking for confirmation that these recommendations are acceptable, would someone propose a motion with respect to that? Mr. LeBlanc.

MR. LEBLANC: Mr. Chairman, there would be two separate lockups, one for MLAs and one for the press. Is that the intent?

MR. CHAIRMAN: That's correct and there would be a meeting with a representative from each caucus and the Speaker with Dr. Dodds at 9:00 o'clock as well. My understanding is that each Party represented on the committee would name a representative between now, obviously, and September 4^th who would meet the Speaker and Dr. Dodds and anyone else from the commission who Dr. Dodds would want present. A motion has been made. Is there any further discussion on the motion?

MR. PAUL MACEWAN: This letter doesn't propose where Sessions 1 and 2 would be held.

MR. CHAIRMAN: No, I think if this is agreeable to the committee, one of them is going to be in the Red Room, I think. He does say the Red Room for one.

MR. MACEWAN: In Session 3, yes.

MS. MARY ANN MCGRATH: The media.

MR. CHAIRMAN: The media would be in the Red Room. I suspect the first meeting will probably be in the Speaker's Office. The meeting with the Speaker would be in his own office. With respect to the other one, I suspect they will be looking for space.

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MR. LEBLANC: Mr. Chairman, there is a space in the Provincial Building on the 4^th floor. Not all MLAs are going to come to the lockup and I think if you look at the last time probably about 20 or so came up. We will do our best to accommodate them.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Are there any further questions or comments on the proposal?

MR. MACEWAN: I'm not asking that we be in charge of the logistics of setting these things up but hopefully all members of the House could be notified of Session 2, when and where.

MR. CHAIRMAN: The secretary of the committee is making note of that and I am sure we can arrange to have all members of the House advised about the when/where. Okay? If there is no further discussion, I call the question. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

I believe that concludes our business and likely truly does conclude our business.

MR. GORDON HEBB: Mr. Chairman, I've been left here by the Clerk's Office, a document for each and every one of you to sign, if you wouldn't mind dropping by here on your way out.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay, thank you very much.

We are adjourned.

[1:14 p.m. The committee adjourned.]