Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 7, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 11:35 a.m., this day, in room 257, East Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Comeau, Day, Murray, P.C., Oliver and Stratton (5).
In attendance: Guy Beaumier Research Officer, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate, the committee proceeded to hold an organization meeting.
The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day that the Honourable Senator Oliver do take the Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that the Honourable Senator Day be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
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 to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day:
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 member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Senator Comeau informed the committee that it would be preferable if Mr. Guy Beaumier could be assigned to the committee.
Mr. Beaumier was invited to the table.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, 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 Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
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 Deputy Chair made a statement.
The Chair made a statement and acknowledged the contribution of Senator Murray as past chair and as continuing member.
The Chair informed the members that he and the Deputy Chair will meet with the President of the Treasury Board, the Auditor General and the President of the Public Service Commission and will report back to the committee.
The committee discussed future business.
At 11:45 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 27, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 6:50 p.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Donald Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Comeau, Cools, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Hubley, Mahovlich, Murray P.C., Oliver, Ringuette and Stratton (10).
In attendance: 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 Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the committee began its consideration of the examination of the Main Estimates laid before Parliament for the fiscal year ending March 21, 2005.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Reg Alcock, P.C., M.P., President of the Treasury Board of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Treasury Board of Canada:
Mike Joyce, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management & Strategies Sector;
Charles-Antoine St-Jean, Comptroller General of Canada
The Honourable Reg Alcock made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 8:26 p.m., the meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Acting Clerk of the Committee