Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs,
Science and Technology
Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 28, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 10:05 a.m., the Chairman, Honourable Lowell Murray, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Bosa, Cohen, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Forest, Jessiman, LeBreton, Maheu, Murray and Phillips (11).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Kenny.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Sandra Harder and Grant Purves, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Honourable Senator Phillips moved:
That a Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be established, comprising five members, including the Honourable Senators Jessiman, Phillips, Bonnell, Forest and Cools;
That the subcommittee be empowered to inquire into and report upon such matters as are referred to it from time to time by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology;
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 by it;
That, pursuant to Section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, the subcommittee's authority to commit funds be conferred on the subcommittee for further delegation at its organization meeting;
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 be conferred on the subcommittee for further delegation at its organization meeting; and
That the power to permit coverage by electronic media of meetings of the subcommittee be conferred on the subcommittee for further delegation at its organization meeting.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Chairman informed the committee that the Honourable Senator Forest has been named as the third member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
At 10:15 a.m., the committee moved its meeting in camera to discuss future business.
The committee discussed the desirability of renewing the Order of Reference that was before it last session, "to monitor the implementation and application of Bill C-41, An Act to amend the Divorce Act, the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act, the Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act and the Canada Shipping Act, and the associated Federal Child Support Guidelines."
The committee also considered two proposals for special studies that were received. A general discussion on possible subjects for a special study ensued.
The Chairman suggested that the members consider these subjects in order to make a proposal for a special study at some time in the future.
At 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 25, 1997
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 11:02 a.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Lowell Murray, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Bosa, Cohen, Cools, Corbin, Jessiman, LeBreton, Maheu, Murray, and Phillips (10).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Sandra Harder and Margaret Young, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 5, 1997, the committee began its consideration of the state of health care in Canada concerning veterans of war and Canadian Service persons; that the study concern itself with the availability, quality and standards of health care available to those veterans and Service persons; That the committee have power to authorize television and radio broadcasting, as it deems appropriate, of any of its proceedings; and that the committee submit its report no later than June 30, 1998.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved that the above Order of Reference be further referred to the subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Phillips, Chairman of the subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, presented a draft budget for the above-referenced study as follows:
Professional and Other Services $ 3,000
Transportation and
Communications 31,710
All Other Expenditures 2,000
TOTAL $
36,710
After debate, it was moved that the budget of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs be adopted with an increase of $10,000 for the travel and equipment requirements for interpreters.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Chairman informed the committee that the Senate was currently considering another Order of Reference as follows: That the Standing Senate committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report upon all matters relating to the future of the Canadian War Museum, including, but not restricted to, its structure, budget, name and independence; and that the committee submit its report no later than March 30, 1998; which, if adopted, would be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The Honourable Senator Cohen moved that should the said Order of Reference be referred to this committee, that the committee refer it to the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs for examination.
At 11:20 a.m., the meeting continued in camera.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on November 5, 1997, the committee discussed how it would proceed with its study of Chapter 1, An Act to amend the Divorce Act, the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act, the Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act and the Canada Shipping Act, and associated Federal Child Support Guidelines.
The committee decided to begin its hearings in December with an invitation to the Child Support Team at the Department of Justice. The committee also asked staff to prepare a list of potential witnesses on this subject to continue its hearings in February.
The committee considered a workplan for a possible study on the overprescription of drugs.
The Honourable Senator Bonnell moved that 1,000 copies of Child at Risk be printed for redistribution.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 11:30 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Jill Anne Joseph
Clerk of the Committee