Proceedings of the Special Committee of the Senate on
the Cape Breton
Development Corporation (1997)
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 19, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Cape Breton Development Corporation met at 3:45 p.m. this day for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, Buchanan, Corbin, De Bané, MacDonald (Halifax), Milne, Moore, Murray, Rompkey and Stanbury. (10)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Hébert.
In attendance: Kevin Kerr, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee proceeded to organize pursuant to Rule 88.
The Clerk of the committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Stanbury moved that the Honourable Senator Rompkey be Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald (Halifax) moved that the Honourable Senator Murray be Deputy Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Honourable Senator Stanbury; and
That the subcommittee be authorized to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Milne moved that the committee print 200 copies of its proceedings and that the Chair be authorized to adjust this number from time to time to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Stanbury moved that, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved that the committee request the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the Committee; and
That the Chair be authorized to direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved that, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chair or in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair; and
That, pursuant to Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, no account be paid by the committee unless certified in accordance with section 34 of the Financial Administration Act by the Chair, the Deputy Chair or the Clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Stanbury moved that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses' expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses to no more than two witnesses from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved that, pursuant to the Rules of the Senate, the committee request emergency funds as follows:
Professional and Special Services
Communications consultant $4,000
Working Lunches and Dinners 500
Video-conferences 3,000
Transportation and Communications
Witnesses' Expenses 2,500
Total $10,000
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Buchanan moved that the committee travel to Cape Breton and hold public hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on a show of hands as follows:
Yeas - 3
Nays - 3
Abstentions - 1
Not voting - 1
The Honourable Senator MacDonald (Halifax) moved that the public meetings of the Committee be covered by the Media.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Gary O'Brien
Acting Clerk of the Committee
SYDNEY, Monday, March 17, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on the Cape Breton Development Corporation (1997) met at 9:30 a.m. this day, in Sydney, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Bill Rompkey, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Buchanan, Graham, Landry, MacDonald (Halifax), Murray and Rompkey. (7)
In attendance: Kevin Kerr, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Canadian Union of Public Employees:
Kevin MacNeil, National Representative;
Angus MacEachern, President, Local 2046;
Fraser Morrison, Vice President, Local 2046 and President of CUPE -- Nova Scotia;
Brian Kanne, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 2046;
Robert MacFarlane, Recording Secretary, Local 2046;
Mick Baker, Past President, Local 2046.
From the Canadian Automobile Workers:
Victor Tomiczek, National Representative;
Richie Daigle, Unit Chair, Local 4504;
Bob Gillis, Occupational Health & Safety Local 4504 and Vice-President of Local.
From the International Association of Machinists:
Ricky Wiseman, General Chairman;
Stanley Peach, Local Chairman.
From the United Mineworkers of America:
Steve Drake, President, District 26;
Hughie MacArthur, International Auditor and Safety Coordinator, District 26;
John MacLeod, International Board Member, District 26;
Brendon McIntyre, Sub-District Board Member, District 26;
Ron Cote, Sub District Board Member, District 26;
Bob Burchell, International Teller, District 26;
Eric Funari, President, V.J. Coal Preparation, Local 2268, District 26;
Allie MacLean, President Phalen, Local 2501.
Dan Currie, Former Manager Operation Donkin Mine and Former Electrical Supervisor Devco.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on February 11, 1997, the committee proceeded to examine and report upon the Annual Report, Corporate Plan and progress reports of the Cape Breton Development Corporation and related matters.
The witnesses from the Canadian Union of Public Employees made a statement and answered questions.
The witnesses from the Canadian Automobile Workers made a statement and answered questions.
The witnesses from the International Association of Machinist made a statement and answered questions.
The witnesses from the United Mineworkers of America made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by the Cape Breton Development Corporation be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibit 5700-2.35/C1(97) 1, "1".
Dan Currie made a statement and answered questions.
At 2:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Timothy Ross Wilson
Clerk of the Committee