Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 7, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in room 257, East Block, at 8:45 a.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Angus, Banks, Buchanan, P.C., Gill, and Lavigne (6).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lynn Myers and Frédéric Beauregard- Tellier.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the Honourable Senator Banks be Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the Honourable Senator Cochrane be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the following motions be adopted:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the Committee to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings;
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand;
That pursuant to Rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present;
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with Rule 104;
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research analysts to the committee;
That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the Committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports;
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and Section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee;
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the Committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the Committee; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee;
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances;
That the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Chair informed the committee that the time slots for its meetings are when the Senate rises but not before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
It was agreed that the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following Order of Reference:
a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada's energy resources;
b) Environmental challenges facing Canada including responses to global climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and ecological integrity;
c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;
d) Canada's international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada's economic and social development; and,
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than June 30, 2006, and that the Committee retain until September 1, 2006 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
At 9:30 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 19, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in camera, in room 257, East Block, at 5:05 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Angus, Banks, Buchanan, P.C., Christensen, Cochrane, Finnerty, Gill, Gustafson, Lavigne, Milne and Spivak (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Kenny (1).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lynn Myers and Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee proceeded to study emerging issues related to its mandate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
It was agreed notwithstanding the decision of the committee on Thursday, October 7, 2004, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of 5 members and that 3 members would constitute a quorum.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of Senators Angus, Banks, Cochrane, Milne and Spivak.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) the committee proceeded to consider a draft report.
It was moved by Senator Milne that the report be adopted, and that the Chair and Deputy Chair be empowered to make editorial and grammatical changes without changing the content.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the committee would hire the firm Pumpkin Innovation to provide communication support for the release of the final report.
At 6:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 26, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in camera, in room 257, East Block, at 5:15 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Buchanan, P.C., Christensen, Cochrane, Finnerty, Gustafson, Kenny, Milne and Spivak (9).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee continued its study of emerging issues related to its mandate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e)(f) the committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft report and a draft agenda.
It was agreed that the following special study budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Summary of Expenditures:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 41,390 |
| Transportation and Communications | $ 122,426 |
| All Other Expenditure | $ 8,000 |
| Total | $ 198,816 |
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e)(f) the committee proceeded to the consideration of a draft report and a draft agenda.
It was agreed that the following legislative budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Summary of Expenditures:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 3,000 |
| Transportation and Communications | 0 |
| All Other Expenditure: | $ 1,000 |
| Total | $ 4,000 |
At 6:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 2, 2004
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in camera, in room 257, East Block, at 6:12 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Buchanan, P.C., Cochrane and Gustafson (5).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers, Research Analyst, Science and Technology and Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier, Economics Division.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee continued its study of emerging issues related to its mandate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee proceeded for the consideration of a draft agenda.
It was agreed that Mr. Bob Harriot be permitted to stay.
It was agreed that the interim report adopted by the committee on October 19, 2004 be tabled in the Senate without a request to the Government to provide a response.
It was agreed that the Chair and Deputy Chair be empowered to make editorial and grammatical changes to the Executive Summary of the Interim Report.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 4, 2004
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, in room 257, East Block, at 8:38 a.m., the Deputy Chair, the Honourable Ethel Cochrane, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Christensen, Cochrane, Finnerty, Gustafson and Lavigne (6).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier, Economics Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee continued its study of emerging issues related to its mandate.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Solar Industries Association:
Michael A. Carten, President, Sustainable Energy Technologies;
Brian Wilkinson, President, Matrix Energy.
The Deputy Chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Carten and Mr. Wilkinson made a presentation and answered questions.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), at 9:30 a.m. the committee proceeded in camera for consideration of a draft agenda.
At 9:45 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee