Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and
Communications
Issue 1 -- Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 26, 1996
(1)
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 5:35 p.m. this day for the purpose of organization.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Bacon, Forrestall, Poulin and Roux. (4)
In attendance: John Christopher and Daniel J. Shaw, Research Officers, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
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 Poulin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, moved that the Honourable Senator Bacon be Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Poulin moved that the Honourable Senator Forrestall be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the Committee to be designated from time to time after the usual consultations;
That the Honourable Senator Poulin be a member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; 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 Forrestall moved that the Committee print 600 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 Forrestall moved that, pursuant to Rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of evidence when a quorum is not present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux moved that, pursuant to Rule 104, the Chair be authorized to report expenses incurred by the Committee in the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux 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 Honourable Senator Forrestall moved in amendment that the Committee request the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the Committee; and
That, subject to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, 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 as amended, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Poulin 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 Roux 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.
It was agreed, -- That the Committee meet on Tuesday when the Senate rises but not before 4:00 p.m.
It was agreed, -- That a budget incorporating a communications plan be prepared for consideration by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
It was agreed, -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet as soon as possible to consider possible special studies and that members of the Committee be polled for their opinions in this regard.
At 5:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 23, 1996
(2)
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 5:30 p.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Davey, Poulin, Roberge and Roux. (6)
Other Senator present: The Honourable Senator Spivak.
In attendance: John Christopher, David Johansen and Daniel J. Shaw, Research Officers, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Martin Brennan, Consultant, Parliamentary Centre; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Committee proceeded to examine Bill C-14, An Act to continue the National Transportation Agency as the Canadian Transportation Agency, to consolidate and revise the National Transportation Act, 1987 and the Railway Act and to amend or repeal other Acts as a consequence.
APPEARING:
Stan Keyes, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Transport:
Moya Greene, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Coordination;
Jean Patenaude, Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister;
Kristine Burr, Director General, Surface Policy and Programs, Policy and Coordination.
The witness(es) made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:36 p.m., the Committee proceeded to meet in camera.
The Honourable Senator Roberge moved that the following budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration subject to the granting by the Senate of authority to engage the services of personnel:
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and Special Services........................... $ 39,500
Transportation and Communications......................... 10,200
All Other Expenditures.................................................. 700
Total ................................................................... $ 50,400
The Chair presented the First Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure as follows:
Your Subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 27, 1996, to review certain matters referred to it.
It was agreed, - That the communications study undertaken by the Committee in the previous session be continued by a subcommittee of this Committee;
That the subcommittee consist of five members, three of whom shall constitute a quorum; and
That the focus of the study be adapted to meet changing circumstances.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Davey moved that the report be concurred in and that the Subcommittee on Communications conduct a series of studies in communications generally.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, - That the initial membership of the Subcommittee on Communications be as follows: the Honourable Senators Davey, Oliver, Poulin, Roberge and Roux; and
That substitutions in the membership be communicated to the Clerk of the Subcommittee.
At 6:36 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 25, 1996
(3)
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 9:01 a.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Poulin, Roberge and Roux. (5)
Other Senator(s) present: The Honourable Senator Kinsella.
In attendance: John Christopher and Daniel J. Shaw, Research Officers, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Martin Brennan, Consultant, Parliamentary Centre; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The Official Reporters of the Senate.
The Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-14, An Act to continue the National Transportation Agency as the Canadian Transportation Agency, to consolidate and revise the National Transportation Act, 1987 and the Railway Act and to amend or repeal other Acts as a consequence.
WITNESSES:
From the Railway Association of Canada:
Robert H. Ballantyne, President;
Cynthia M. Hick, Corporate Secretary;
Roger K. Cameron, General Manager, Public Affairs.
From Central Western Railway Corporation:
Thomas Payne, President and Chief Operating Officer.
From Halifax Grain Elevator Ltd.:
Allen L. Stevens, President;
Forrest C. Hume, Counsel;
Individuals:
Hon. Eugene F. Whelan, P.C.;
Terrance H. Hall, Counsel.
The witness(es) from the Railway Association of Canada made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by the Railway Association of Canada be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibit 5700 - 2.35 / C-14,1 "1".
The witness(es) from Central Western Railway Corporation made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by Central Western Railway Corporation be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibit 5700 - 2.35 / C-14,1 "2".
The witness(es) from Halifax Grain Elevator Ltd. made a statement and answered questions.
The Hon. Eugene F. Whelan and Terrance H. Hall made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, - That the presentation by the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan and Terrance H. Hall be filed with the Clerk of the Committee as Exhibit 5700 - 2.35 / C-14,1 "3".
At 11:01 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Timothy Ross Wilson
Clerk of the Committee