Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
Issue 32 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 24, 1999
(36)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 5:30 p.m. this day, in Room 356-S, the Deputy Chairman, the Honourable Senator Cools, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cook, Cools, Ferretti-Barth, Fraser, Grimard and Stratton (6).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Eyton (1).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESS:
From the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:
Mr. Rick Neville, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Analysis and Operations Sector.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 4, 1999, the committee began its examination of the Main Estimates laid before Parliament for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
Mr. Neville made a statement and answered questions.
Senator Fraser moved, -- That the Chairman be authorise to present an interim report to the Senate on its examination of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
Senator Stratton took the chair.
The committee considered its business.
After debate,
Senator Cools moved, -- That the budget of the committee in the amount of $17,000 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000, be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee considered its Subcommittee on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
After debate,
Senator Cools moved, -- That, in obedience to the examination of the Main Estimates 1999-2000, a subcommittee called the National Finance SubCommittee on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness shall be constituted, and be authorized to study and examine disaster and emergency readiness and preparedness in Canada and matters related to National Defence expenditures, as set out in the Main Estimates 1999-2000.
That the subcommittee consist of five members, three of whom shall constitute a quorum.
That the initial membership of the Subcommittee on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness be as follows: the Honourable Senators Stratton, Fraser, Bolduc, Cook and Ferretti Barth.
That the Deputy Chairman of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be a member ex officio of the Subcommittee;
That the subcommittee be empowered to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination of emergency preparedness in Canada;
That the subcommittee reports to the Senate National Finance Committee on or before December 31, 1999;
That the subcommittee be authorized to send for persons, papers and records, whenever required, and to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered;
That the subcommittee have power to authorize television and radio broadcasting, as it deems appropriate, of any or all of its proceedings;
That the subcommittee be empowered to adjourn from place to place within Canada.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee considered a budget for the Subcommittee on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
After debate,
Senator Fraser moved, -- That a budget in the amount of $150,000 for the Subcommittee on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the Committee