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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
National Finance

Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings

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OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 25, 2003
(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 9:32 a.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Murray, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Comeau, Cools, Day, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Furey, Gauthier, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu and Murray, P.C. (11).

In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on November 5, 2002, the committee continued its examination of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003.

WITNESSES:

From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada:

Sheila Fraser, Auditor General;

Maria Barrados, Assistant Auditor General, Audit Operations Branch;

Hugh McRoberts, Assistant Auditor General;

Doug Timmins, Assistant Auditor General.

Report of the Auditor General

The Auditor General made an opening statement and, with Ms. Barrados, answered questions from members of the committee.

At 10:55 a.m., the committee continued its sitting in camera for the purpose of discussing future business and a draft committee budget.

Future Business and Draft Budget

After discussion, it was agreed that on Tuesday, March 18, 2003, the committee would meet at 8:30 a.m. for the purpose of hearing Treasury Board officials on Supplementary Estimates ``B'' 2002-2003.

The committee undertook discussion of its draft budget.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that the following budget be approved and submitted to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration: