Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce

Issue 23 - Evidence, June 19, 2003

OTTAWA, Thursday, June 19, 2003

The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 11:45 a.m. to discuss business of the committee.

Senator E. Leo Kolber (Chairman) in the Chair.

[English]

The Chairman: Honourable senators, we have two motions before us and then a short explanation from Senator Moore on another matter, which we will not vote on or deal with. It has to do Bill C-205.

First, I am tendering my resignation as chairman of the committee effective at five o'clock today.

Senator Fitzpatrick: What if we do not accept it?

Senator Kelleher: Don't worry, we will.

The Chairman: There is a good reason why British Columbia should secede.

Thank you all for your cooperation and your help.

Second, I nominate Richard Kroft, effective at five o'clock today, to become Chairman of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, and I would like a seconder.

Senator Tkachuk: I will second that nomination.

The Chairman: All in favour?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

The Chairman: That business is done.

Senator Fitzpatrick: May I make a statement?

The Chairman: Please.

Senator Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the committee, I want to extend my appreciation for the job that you have done as chairman. I just wish that you had been a little bit more decisive on things, Leo; rather, you fiddled and fuddled around so that we never knew where we were going.

In all seriousness, thank you. We have had a good period of time together. I have enjoyed being on your committee, and Senator Kroft has some pretty big shoes to fill. Thank you, Leo, for your services.

The Chairman: Thank you, Ross.

Senator Moore: Mr. Chairman, I would like to echo the sentiments of Senator Fitzpatrick. I have only been on this committee for a little while, but it has been fun working with you. I have appreciated your leadership.

I have one question: Why did it take you five tries to finally clear security at the Federal Reserve in Washington?

The Chairman: I do not know either.

Senator Setlakwe: Leo and I have known each other for many years.

The Chairman: We graduated from law school together 51 years ago.

Senator Setlakwe: During his Banking Committee chairmanship he has shown us his learning skills, and I want to congratulate him for being one of my better students.

The Chairman: Thank you. Everything I learned, I learned from Raymond. Do you know the program Everybody Loves Raymond?

Senator Kroft: I would like to thank committee members for their confidence in looking ahead, but I have to say that things will be different because there is only one Leo Kolber. This committee hopefully will be effective, hardworking and productive. I can assure senators that it will be different. His personality and style is unique. I will make no attempt to copy it, only to emulate the results.

The Chairman: Thank you very much.

I will not wear an orange suit, no matter what you say.

Senator Kelleher: I want you to know that I shopped all over Ottawa. I even went to the joke store to find an orange suit, but they did not have any. In lieu of that comment, I want to say, on behalf of this side, thanks for a great job.

The Chairman: Thank you very much.

Senator Tkachuk: I have already said my piece.

I want to say congratulations to Richard. Leo only had me to put up with; now Senator Kroft will have Leo and I to put up with, so good luck. It has been fun and I am sure it will be very positive as we go along.

The Chairman: I will turn the floor over to Senator Moore to explain Bill C-205 to us.

Senator Moore: Bill C-205 is a private member's bill introduced in the House of Commons by Mr. Gurmant Grewal, co-chair, along with Senator Hervieux-Payette, of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

First, the bill deals with the Statutory Instruments Act and gives the joint committee the authority to deal with regulations passed by federal agencies, such as the CRTC and the Canada Transport Agency, which we do not have now.

Second, the bill will put the Senate on an equal footing with the House of Commons. We have been operating under a rule of procedure of the House of Commons that is not binding on the Senate. The bill will make us equal co- venturers in dealing with the possible disallowance of regulations.

Senator Hervieux-Payette had intended to speak to the bill at second reading yesterday in the Senate. We were adjourned, so that did not happen. I will speak to it today and will ask that it go to third reading. The intention was that the bill would come to this committee for study. It has already been through the Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations, as well as the House of Commons committee, and has been passed by the Commons unanimously.

I have spoken with the leadership on both sides and they are agreed. I am hoping that others in the chamber will be agreeable as well.

The Chairman: It is a two-page bill that gives more powers to the Senate, as I read it.

Senator Kroft: Would your hope be to jump the committee stage and get the bill through before the summer recess?

Senator Moore: Yes.

The Chairman: That would require unanimous consent.

Senator Moore: Yes, it would.

Senator Tkachuk: Have you spoken to Senator Prud'homme?

Senator Moore: I have not. I thought he would be here today. I will speak with him, though. I know that the sponsor of the bill in the Commons is trying to reach him, too. Mr. Grewal has been trying to connect with him.

Senator Kroft: When you referred to federal agencies, does that include Crown corporations?

The Chairman: I believe so.

Senator Tkachuk: Revenue Canada is now an agency, so it would be included.

Senator Moore: Yes.

The Chairman: I will table the report at the beginning of the Senate sitting. Then there will be a press conference at the Press Club.

Will you be there, Senator Setlakwe?

Senator Setlakwe: I had wanted to speak to you about that. Is Senator Hervieux-Payette around?

The Chairman: No, she has left town. Someone totally fluent in French has to be there.

Senator Setlakwe: I have to table the reports on Poland and Russia. Then there is the second reading of Senator Day's bill. He will not be there, so he wants me to do it on his behalf.

The Chairman: Senator Biron, can you be with us?

Senator Biron: Yes, I can.

The Chairman: Quarter to three, National Press Club Theatre, you will sit with Senator Tkachuk and I. If something comes up in French, please handle it.

The committee adjourned.