Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and
Communications
Issue 20 - The First, Second, Third and Tenth Reports of the Committee
THURSDAY, October 23, 1997
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the honour to present its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104 of the Rules, that the expenses incurred by the committee during the Second Session of the Thirty-fifth Parliament are as follows:
1. With respect to its examination of legislation:
| Professional services
|
$46,804.85
|
| Witness expenses
|
$9,600.73
|
| Miscellaneous
|
$437.00
|
| Total
|
$56,842.58
|
2. With respect to its special study on transportation safety:
| Professional services
|
$90,160.72
|
| Transportation
|
$96,726.12
|
| Witness expenses
|
$4,411.98
|
| Miscellaneous
|
$1,125.00
|
| Total
|
$192,423.82
|
3. With respect to its special study on Canada's international competitive position in communica tions:
| Professional services
|
$90,055.50
|
| Transportation
|
$10,460.00
|
| Witness expenses
|
$680.68
|
| Miscellaneous
|
$4,533.00
|
| Total
|
$105,729.18
|
During the session your committee held 24 meetings, considered nine Orders of Reference and submitted 12 reports in relation to its work.
The Subcommittee on Safety held 16 meetings and heard more than 45 hours of testimony given by 99 witnesses in relation to the special study on transportation safety. It held hearings in Yellowknife, Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax. The subcommittee also went to Washington D.C., on a fact-finding mission to meet with officials, as well as industry representatives, safety and labour associations.
The Subcommittee on Communications held 15 meetings and heard more than 34 hours of testimony given by 51 witnesses in relation to the special study on Canada's international competitive position in communications. It went on a fact-finding mission to Boston to meet academics at Harvard University and at the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The committee presented its interim report entitled "Wired to Win" to the Senate on April 22, 1997.
Also, your committee examined 7 bills:
Bill C-14, An Act to continue the National Transportation Agency as the Canadian Transportation Agency, to consolidate and revise the National Transportation Act, 1987 and the Railway Act and to amend or repeal other Acts as a consequence;
Bill C-20, An Act respecting the commercialization of civil air navigation services;
Bill C-216, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act;
Bill C-57, An Act to amend the Bell Canada Act;
Bill C-32, An Act to amend the Copyright Act;
Bill C-44, An Act for making the system of Canadian ports competitive, efficient and commercially oriented, providing for the establishing of port authorities and the divesting of certain harbours and ports, for the commercialization of the St. Lawrence Seaway and ferry services and other matters related to maritime trade and transport and amending the Pilotage Act and amending and repealing other Acts as a consequence;
Bill S-7, An Act to dissolve the Nipissing and James Bay Railway Company.
Respectfully submitted,
LISE BACON
Chair
THURSDAY, November 20, 1997
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on October 29, 1997 to examine and report upon Canada's international competitive position in communications generally, including a review of the economic, social and cultural importance of communications for Canada and to present its final report no later than December 31, 1998, respectfully requests that that it be empowered to adjourn from place to place within and outside Canada and to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its study.
Pursuant to section 2:07 of the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
LISE BACON
Chair
STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIAL STUDY ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE POSITION IN COMMUNICATIONS
APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1998
Extract from the Journals of the Senate, October 29, 1997
The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maheu:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report upon Canada's international competitive position in communications generally, including a review of the economic, social and cultural importance of communications for Canada;
That the papers and evidence received on the subject and the work accomplished by this committee during the Thirty-fifth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the ommittee present its final report no later than December 31, 1998.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
| Professional and Other Services
|
$ 76,000
|
| Transportation and Communica tions
|
75,350
|
| Other Expenditures
|
1,000
|
| Total
|
$152,350
|
The above budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on November 4, 1997.
The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is considered.
Lise Bacon Date Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
William Rompkey Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPLANATION OF BUDGET ITEMS
PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIAL SERVICES
| 1. Professional Services (0401)
|
|
| Expert consultants
|
$55,000
|
| Communications Consultant (0401)
|
10,000
|
| 2. Reporting and Transcribing Services (0403)
|
4,000
|
| 3. Hospitality -- Committee (0410)
|
1,500
|
| 4. Registration Fee (0406)
|
2,000
|
| 4. Working meals (0415) (14 meals at $250)
|
3,500
|
| Total
|
$76,000
|
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Travel Expenses (0203)
Committee travel to San Francisco/ San Jose/ Los Angeles, California (January 29-February 7) 10 days of travel -- 9 participants (5 senators and 4 staff)
| Air transportation:
|
|
| 4 x $2,900 (economy)
|
11,600
|
| 5 x $3,700 (business)
|
18,500
|
| Minibus rental:
|
3,000
|
| Ground transportation:
|
|
| 8 taxis x $25 x 9 participants
|
1,800
|
| Per diem and incidentals:
|
|
| 10 days at $75/day x 9 partici pants
|
6,750
|
| Hotel accommodation:
|
|
| 4 nights at $300/night x 9 partici pants (Los
Angeles)
|
10,800
|
| 3 nights at $300/night x 9 partici pants (San
Jose)
|
8,100
|
| 3 nights at $300/night x 9 partici pants (San
Francisco)
|
8,100
|
| Contingencies
|
1 500
|
| Sub-Total
|
70,150
|
| 2. Travel to conference (0201)
|
5,000
|
| 3. Courier Services (0213)
|
200
|
| Total
|
$75,350
|
ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES
| 1. Miscellaneous (0799)
|
1,000
|
| Total
|
$1,000
|
| TOTAL
|
$152,350
|
The Senate administration has reviewed this budget application.
Gary O'Brien Date
Director of Committees and Private Legislation
Siroun Aghajanian Date
Director of Finance
THURSDAY, November 20, 1997
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the honour to present its
THIRD REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on October 29, 1997 to examine and make recommendations upon the state of transportation safety and security in Canada and to complete a comparative review of technical issues and legal and regulatory structures with a view to ensuring that transportation safety and security in Canada are of such high quality as to meet the needs of Canada and Canadians in the twenty-first century and to present its final report no later than December 31, 1998, respectfully requests that it be empowered to adjourn from place to place within and outside Canada and to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its study.
Pursuant to section 2:07 of the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
LISE BACON
Chair
STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIAL STUDY ON TRANSPORTATION SAFETY
APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1998
Order of Reference
Extract from the Journals of the Senate, Wednesday, October 29, 1997:
The Order of the Day being read,
The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maheu:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and make recommendations upon the state of transportation safety and security in Canada and to complete a comparative review of technical issues and legal and regulatory structures with a view to ensuring that transportation safety and security in Canada are of such high quality as to meet the needs of Canada and Canadians in the twenty-first century;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Second Session of the Thirty-fifth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the committee present its final report no later than December 31, 1998.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
| Professional and Other Services
|
$ 68 500
|
| Transportation and Communica tions
|
95 500
|
| All Other Expenditures
|
5 000
|
| TOTAL
|
$ 169 000
|
The foregoing budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on Tuesday, November 4, 1997.
The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is being considered.
Lise Bacon Date Chair, Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
William Rompkey Date Chair, Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
EXPLANATION OF COST ELEMENTS
| Professional and Other Services
|
|
| 1. Expert consultants (0401)
|
$ 45 000
|
| 2. Communications consultant (0401)
|
10 000
|
| 3. Conference registration fees (0406)
|
10 000
|
| 4. Working meals (0415)
|
3 000
|
| 5. Hospitality -- Committee (0410)
|
500
|
| Total
|
$ 68 500
|
Transportation and Communications
| 1. Travel to conferences (0201)
|
5 000
|
| 2. Committee Travel Expenses (0201) Destination
: Rotterdam, Brussels, Paris, London (12 days) 5 Senators, 4 Staff (1 Clerk, 3
Research Assistants) Total par ticipants: 9
|
|
| Air transportation
|
33 000
|
| Rail transportation
|
3 000
|
| Ground transportation
|
2 000
|
| Mini-bus
|
5 000
|
| Per diems
|
10 000
|
| Accommodation (11 nights)
|
34 000
|
| Contingencies
|
2 000
|
| 3. Courier Services (0213)
|
1 000
|
| 4. Telecommunications (0223)
|
500
|
| Total
|
95 500
|
| All Other Expenditures
|
|
| 1. Rental of meeting rooms (0500) $500 per diem
x 7 days
|
3 500
|
| 2. Purchase of books and period icals (0702)
|
500
|
| 3. Miscellaneous (0799)
|
1 000
|
| Total
|
5 000
|
| Total
|
$ 169 000
|
The Senate administration has reviewed this budget application.
Gary O'Brien Date Director of Committees and Private Legislation
S. Aghajanian Date Director of Finance
THURSDAY, March 11, 1999
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the honour to present its
TENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-23, An Act to amend the Carriage by Air Act to give effect to a Protocol to amend the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air and to give effect to the Convention, Supplementary to the Warsaw Convention, for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air Performed by a Person Other than the contracting Carrier, has, in obedience to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, February 3, 1999, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIE-P. POULIN
Acting Chair