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

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 7, 1999
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, at 9:10 a.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cohen, Cook, Finestone, P.C., Kirby and Murray, P.C. (6).

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

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: John Craig.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee began its consideration of Bill C-6, An Act to support and promote electronic commerce by protecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances, by providing for the use of electronic means to communicate or record information or transactions and by amending the Canada Evidence Act, the Statutory Instruments Act and the Statute Revision Act.

It was moved by Senator Murray, with leave, -- That the committee dispense with clause by clause consideration of Bill C-6.

Leave being granted, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed.

It was moved by Senator Callbeck -- That the Chairman report Bill C-6 today with the following amendments:

1. Page 3, Clause 2: Add the following after line 2:

""Personal health information", with respect to an individual, whether living or deceased means:

(a) information concerning the physical or mental health of the individual;

(b) information concerning any health service provided to the individual;

(c) information concerning the donation by the individual of any body part or any bodily substance of the individual or information derived from the testing or examination of a body part or bodily substance of the individual;

(d) information that is collected in the course of providing health services to the individual; or

(e) information that is collected incidentally to the provision of health services to the individual.".

2. Page 23, Clause 30:

(a) Add the following after line 4:

"(1.1) This Part does not apply to any organization in respect of personal health information that it collects, uses or discloses"; and

(b) Add the following after line 7:

"(2.1) Subsection (1.1) ceases to have effect one year after the day on which this section comes into force.".

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

At 9:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 8, 1999
(10)

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, at 3:32 p.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Carstairs, Cohen, Cook, Fairbairn, P.C., Gill, Kirby, LeBreton, Murray, P.C., Pépin and Robertson (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Finestone, P.C., Kinsella, Oliver, Roche and Wilson (5).

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee continued its consideration of the developments since the tabling in June 1995 of the final report of the Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, entitled: Of Life and Death.

It was moved by Senator Carstairs -- That the following budget application for fiscal year 1999-2000, which was approved by the Subcommittee to update Of Life and Death on Tuesday, November 30, 1999, be concurred in and that the Chairman submit same to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for consideration.

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed

At 3:35 p.m., it was agreed that the committee continue in camera.

The committee discussed future business.

At 4:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Piccinin

Clerk of the Committee