Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 29 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 9, 1999
(58)

[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, the Honourable Lowell Murray, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Butts, Cohen, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Gill, LeBreton and Murray, P.C. (7).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Roche (1).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gérald Lafrenière.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 11, 1999, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act.

WITNESSES:

Colleen Beaumier, M.P.

From Justice Canada:

Brian Jarvis, Legal Counsel, Public Law Policy Section, Policy Sector;

Lita Cyr, Counsel, Information Law and Privacy Section;

Michael Zigayer, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section.

From Treasury Board Secretariat:

Richard B. Fadden, Assistant Secretary, Government Operations Sector and Canada Infrastructure Works Program;

Mary Anne Stevens, Senior Policy Officer, Information Policy, Government Operations Sector.

As an individual:

Ken Rubin.

Ms Beaumier a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Fadden made a statement.

Mr. Jarvis made a statement.

The witnesses answered questions.

Mr. Rubin made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:32 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 10, 1999
(59)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day in Room 705 Victoria Building, at 3:42 p.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Lowell Murray, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Butts, Cohen, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Gill, Lavoie-Roux, LeBreton and Murray, P.C. (8).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gérald Lafrenière.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 11, 1999 the committee began its consideration of Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act.

WITNESSES:

From the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada:

Hon. John Reid, P.C., Information Commissioner;

Alan Leadbeater, Deputy Information Commissioner;

Daniel Brunet, General Counsel.

From Canadian Access and Privacy Association (Capa):

Michael A. Dagg, President;

Jacqueline Bilodeau, Past President.

Mr. Reid made a statement and together with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Mr. Dagg made a statement.

Ms Bilodeau made a statement.

The witnesses answered questions.

Senator Butts moved, -- That the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-208.

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.

It was agreed, -- That Clause 1 carry.

I was agreed, -- That the Title carry.

It was agreed, -- That Bill C-208 be reported without amendment.

It was agreed, -- That the committee attach observations to the report on Bill C-208 and that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman be authorized to approve the final report on behalf of the committee.

At 4:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Piccinin

Clerk of the Committee