Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 14, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Cook, Cordy, Keon, Kirby, LeBreton, Morin and Pépin (8).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Odette Madore, Research Analyst, Science and Technology.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee proceeded to organize, pursuant to rule 88.
The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Morin that the Honourable Senator Kirby be Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kirby took the Chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Morin that the Honourable Senator Keon be Deputy Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Keon:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Honourable Senator Morin; 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator LeBreton:
That the committee print its Proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Callbeck 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 of the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Callbeck 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 Cordy:
That the Chair, on behalf of 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Pépin:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cordy that the committee empower the Chair and Deputy Chair, 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 Cordy that the Chair and Deputy Chair 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 Pépin that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Pépin that the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's 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.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee began its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness.
At 9:17 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera for the consideration of a draft report.
It was agreed that staff be permitted to stay.
It was agreed that the three draft reports be adopted as interim reports of the Committee and that the Chair, Senator Keon and Senator Morin be authorized to approve the final versions of the reports.
At 10:50 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 20, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 4:23 p.m. this day, in camera, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cook, Cordy, Gill, Johnson, Kirby, Morin and Pépin (7).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Odette Madore, Research Analyst, Science and Technology and Peter Niemczak, Research Assistant.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 7, 2004, the committee continued its examination on the state of the health care system in Canada, in particular issues concerning mental health and mental illness.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda.
It was agreed that staff be permitted to stay.
It was agreed that the following budget application for the Committee's special study on mental health be approved for submission to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and the Administration:
Summary of Expenditures
Professional and Other Services $ 53,000 Transportation and Communication $ 96,800 All Other Expenditures $ 13,950 Total $ 163,750
At 4:49 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Committee