Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and
Communications
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 23, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 11:00 a.m. this day, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Buchanan, De Bané, Forrestall, Johnson, Mercier, Perrault, Poulin, Roberge, Rompkey and Spivak. (12)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Corbin.
In attendance: Terrence J. Thomas, Research Officer, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Clerk of the committee presided over the election of the Chairman pursuant to rule 88.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Bacon be Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Poulin moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Forrestall be Deputy Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member of the committee to be designated after the usual consultations.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
It was agreed, -- That the committee print 400 copies of its Proceedings and -- That the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
It was agreed, -- That pursuant to rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of each party is present.
It was agreed, -- That pursuant to rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
It was agreed, -- 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.
It was agreed, -- 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.
It was agreed, -- That the Chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
It was agreed, -- That 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 Chairman.
It was agreed, -- 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.
It was agreed, -- 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.
It was agreed, -- 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.
It was agreed, -- 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 $ 46,250
Transportation and Communications 6,700
Other Expenditures 700
Total $ 53,650
It was agreed, -- That the Chairman be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to pursue its special study on transportation safety and also on Canada's international competitive position on communications.
It was agreed, -- That a subcommittee on communications be established to study matters relating to communications which may be referred to it from time to time by the committee.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee consist of five (5) members, three (3) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
It was agreed, -- That the initial membership of the subcommittee on Communications be as follows: the Honourable Senators Johnson, Perrault, Poulin, Rompkey, and Spivak.
It was agreed, -- That substitutions in membership be communicated to the Clerk of the subcommittee.
It was agreed, -- That a subcommittee on transportation safety be established to study matters relating to transport safety which may be referred to it from time to time by the committee.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee consist of five (5) members, three (3) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
It was agreed, -- That the initial membership of the subcommittee on Transport Safety be as follows: the Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Forrestall, Mercier, and Roberge.
It was agreed, -- That substitutions in the membership be communicated to the Clerk of the subcommittee.
It was agreed, -- That the committee hold its regular meetings Tuesdays when the Senate rises in Room 256-S.
At 11:50 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 30, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met in camera this day at 11:07 a.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Buchanan, Forrestall, Mercier, Perrault, Poulin, Rompkey, Roberge and Spivak. (10)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Eymard Corbin
In attendance: Martin Brennan, Special Advisor to the committee.
Pursuant to the Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on October 29, 1997, the committee proceeded to consider future business of the committee.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved, -- That the study of transportation safety and security referred to the committee by the Senate on October 29, 1997 be referred for consideration and report pursuant to the Rules of the Senate to the Subcommittee on Transportation Safety.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Poulin moved, -- That the study on Canada's International Competitive Position in Communications, referred to the committee by the Senate on October 29, 1997, be referred to the Senate Subcommittee on Communications for consideration and report pursuant to the Rules of the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 11:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 4, 1997
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 4:30 p.m., the Deputy Chairman, the Honourable Senator J. Michael Forrestall, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Forrestall, Johnson, Mercier, Poulin and Spivak. (5)
In attendance: Martin Brennan, Special Advisor to the committee
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate
WITNESSES:
Mr. Paul DeVillers, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs;
Mr. Ken A. Johson, Executive Director, Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on October 21, 1997, the committee proceeded to consider Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act.
The Honourable Senator Poulin moved, -- That the following budget application for the study on Transportation Safety be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and Special Services $ 68,500
Transportation and Communications 95,500
Other Expenditures 5,000
Total $ 169,000
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, -- That the following budget application for the study on Canada's international competitive position in communications. be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and Special Services $ 76,000
Transportation and Communications 75,350
Other Expenditures 1,000
Total $ 152,350
At 5:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Deputy Chair.
ATTEST:
Michel Patrice
Clerk of the Committee