Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 23, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 356-S, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Cools, Ferratti Barth, Sparrow, Stratton and Taylor. (6)
In attendance from the Library of Parliament: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Research Branch.
Also in attendance: The officials reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to Rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chairman.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Bolduc, that the Honourable Senator Stratton be Chairman of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Taylor, that the Honourable Senator Cools be Deputy Chairman of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Bolduc, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chairman and one other member of the committee be designated after the usual consultation;
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and
That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative, on division.
It is moved by the honourable Senator Sparrow, that the committee print 500 copies of its proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative, on division.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Sparrow, that, pursuant to rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when quorum is not present, provided that a representative of each party is present.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative, on division.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Sparrow, that, pursuant to rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the previous session.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Cools, that the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee.
That the Chairman be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the Committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Sparrow, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chair; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred on the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Sparrow, that the committee empower the Chairman to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Sparrow, that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for 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 -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Moore, that the Clerk be authorized, in consultation with the Chairman, to order food, et cetera, whenever a committee meeting is scheduled to extend into or over a meal period.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
It is moved that the Honourable Senator Taylor that the Chairman be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- Resolved in the affirmative.
At 11:20 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera with its future business.
At 12:00 (noon), the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 6, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 10:45 a.m. this day, in Room 356-S, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Stratton, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Forest, Lynch-Staunton, Mercier and Stratton (7).
In attendance from the Library of Parliament, Research Branch: Guy Beaumier.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Treasury Board of Canada:
David Miller, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector;
Andy Lieff, Assistant Director, Estimates Division.
The committee considered future business.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Cools, that the committee correspond with officials from Health Canada with respect to the present status of the regulations regarding industrial hemp.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 1997, the Committee examined Supplementary Estimates (A), laid before Parliament for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998.
Mr. Miller made opening statement and with Mr. Lieff answered question.
At a later date Treasury Board will provide written responses to questions asked by the honourable senators.
At 12:00 (noon), the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the Committee