Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met at 9:05 a.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the Deputy Chair, the Honourable Nick Taylor, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Buchanan, P.C., Christensen, Finnerty, Kelleher, P.C., Kenny, Sibbeston and Taylor (9).

In attendance: Senator Lois M. Wilson.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate and from the Library of Parliament, Lynne Myers, researcher.

The committee, in compliance with its Order of Reference dated December 1, 1999, proceeded to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to energy, the environment, and natural resources generally in Canada (Nuclear Reactor Safety). (See Issue No. 2, December 7, 2000, for the full text of the order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From Natural Resources Canada:

Ric Cameron, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector;

Peter Brown, Director, Uranium and Radioactive Waste Division, Energy Sector;

Dave McCauley, Advisor, Uranium and Radioactive Waste Division, Energy Sector;

Jacques Hénault, Analyst, Uranium and Radioactive Waste Division, Energy Sector.

The witnesses made a presentation and answered questions. They also tabled an exibit called: "Nuclear Liability Limits (Comparaison of Canada with Paris Convention States, Japan and US)."

The committee proceeded to discuss future business with respect to its agenda on Bill S-20, the Tobacco Youth Protection Act.

The Honourable Senator Colin Kenny made a presentation on the need of having the JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans and Benson & Hedges Inc. presidents of Imperial Tobacco to appear before the committee.

Three certificates were filed with the committee by the Honourable Senator Colin Kenny attesting to the importance of the evidence to be obtained from Bob Bexon, Michel Poirier and John Barnett on its study on Bill S-20, An Act to enable and assist the Canadian tobacco industry in attaining its objective of preventing the use of tobacco products by young persons in Canada.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Isobel Finnerty -- That Bob Bexon, Michel Poirier and John Barnett be summoned to appear and testify before the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources on Thursday, the June 8, 2000, at ten o'clock a.m., in committee room 505, Victoria Building, 140 Wellington, Ottawa, and that the Deputy Chairman be authorized to follow such procedures as may be necessary to communicate this order.

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

At 10:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Michel Patrice

Clerk of the Committee