Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 31 - Evidence
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 5, 2002
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:30 a.m. to elect a deputy chairman; to examine the effectiveness of and possible improvements to the present equalization policy in ensuring that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public service at reasonably comparable levels of taxation; and to discuss a draft report on equalization.
Senator Lowell Murray (Chairman) in the Chair.
[English]
The Chairman: Honourable senators, the committee is meeting today to elect a new deputy chairman. I regret to have to say that Senator Finnerty, who has served on this committee since her appointment to the Senate and who has been the deputy chair for some time now, under doctor's orders, is taking some time off.
I spoke with Senator Finnerty yesterday. She is coming along nicely and may be back with us before the April break. I hope her return to this committee will not be long delayed. I know that I speak for all of us in extending our very best wishes to her. She is a wonderful colleague and has been an excellent deputy chairman.
As Senator Finnerty has resigned as deputy chairman, it is my duty to call for nominations for the position of deputy chairman of this committee.
Senator Banks: Honourable senators, I nominate Senator Cools.
The Chairman: Honourable senators, Senator Cools' name has been put forward. Are there any further nominations?
Senator Rompkey: I move nominations close.
The Chairman: There being no further nominations, I declare Senator Cools elected as deputy chair.
Senator Cools has served very effectively in this capacity in the past, and we are pleased to see her in the position once again. The unanimity of the committee speaks to that. We all join in welcoming Senator Cools to her new responsibilities.
Senator Cools: Honourable senators, I should like to thank the committee members for electing me, and I look forward to continued service.
I also join with the Chairman in extending our best wishes to Senator Finnerty. All of us wish her a speedy recovery and improved health. Also, on behalf of our side, I would thank her for her period of service as deputy chairman. Having said that, we can press on to the business at hand.
The Chairman: That concludes the public portion of this meeting.
The committee continued in camera.