Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 23, 2005
(17)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 3:54 p.m., this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, the Honourable Wilbert J. Keon, Deputy Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Cook, Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Pépin, Trenholme Counsell (6).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos, Research Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division; Tim Riordan, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 9, 2005, the committee began its examination of Bill C-12, An Act to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C. M.P., Minister of State (Public Health).
WITNESSES:
Health Canada:
Dr. Jean-Pierre Legault, Head, Quarantine and Travel Migration Health Program, Public Health Agency;
Dr. Ron St John, Director General, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response;
Dennis Brodie, Legislative and Regulatory Policy Advisor, Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response;
Mario P. Simard, General Counsel.
City of Ottawa:
Dr. Patricia Huston, Associate Medical Officer of Health and Manager of the Surveillance, Emerging Issues, Education and Research Division of Ottawa Public Health.
Carolyn Bennett made a statement. Together the witnesses answered questions.
At 4:32 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.
At 5:51 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.
Patricia Huston made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee move to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-12.
It was agreed that the title, the preamble and clause 1 stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 5 to 11 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 12 to 33.1 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 34 to 43 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 44 to 46 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 47 to 53 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 54 to 57 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 58 to 61 carry.
It was agreed that clause 62 carry.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved that clause 62.1 be amended by replacing lines 23 to 38 on page 25 and lines 1 to 13 on page 26 with the following:
``(1) The Governor in Council may not make a regulation under section 2 unless the Minister has first caused the proposed regulation to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.
(2) A proposed regulation that is laid before a House of Parliament is deemed to be automatically referred to the appropriate committee of that House, as determined by the rules of that House, and the committee may conduct inquiries or public hearings with respect to the proposed regulation and report its findings to that House.
(3) The Governor in Council may make a regulation under section 62 only if
(a) neither House has concurred in any report from its committee respecting the proposed regulation before the end of 30 sitting days of 160 calendar days, whichever is earlier, after the day on which the proposed regulation was laid before that House, in which case the regulation may be made only in the form laid; or
(b) both Houses have concurred in reports from their committees approving the proposed regulation or a version of it amended to the same effect, in which case the regulation may be made only in the form concurred in.
(4) For the purpose of this section, ``sitting day'' means a day on which the House in questions sits.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 62.1, as amended, carry.
The Honourable Senator Pépin moved that clause 62.2 be amended by replacing lines 25 and 26 on page 26 with the following:
``before each House of Parliament, the Minister shall cause to be laid before each House a statement of the''.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 62.2, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 63 carry.
It was agreed that clause 64 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 65 to 72 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 73 to 80 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 81 to 84 carry.
It was agreed that the Schedule carry.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that Bill C-12, be adopted with amendments.
It was agreed that the Chair report the bill as amended at the next sitting of the Senate.
At 6:48 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Committee