Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 7, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 10:34 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Fraser, Gill, Kinsella, LaPierre, LeBreton, Merchant, Phalen, Tkachuk, and Trenholme Counsell (9).
In attendance: Allison Padova and Terrence Thomas, Research Analysts, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved that the Honourable Senator Fraser do take the Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser took the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Phalen moved that the Honourable Senator Tkachuk be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Phalen moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Merchant moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Merchant moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved:
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.
The Honourable Senator Phalen moved:
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 an 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.
The Honourable Senator LeBreton moved:
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gill moved:
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 committee considered its business.
At 10:41 a.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), proceeded in camera to consider its agenda.
At 10:51 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 21, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, in camera, at 10:50 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Fraser, Gill, Johnson, Merchant, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk, and Trenholme Counsell (9).
In attendance: Terrence Thomas and Allison Padova, Research Analysts, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, and David Black, special advisor to the committee.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee began its examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its agenda.
At 1:25 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 3, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, in camera, at 6:18 p.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Forrestall, Fraser, Merchant, and Trenholme Counsell (5).
In attendance: Terrence Thomas and Joseph Jackson, Research Analysts, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, the committee continued its examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its agenda.
At 6:39 p.m., the committee proceeded in public.
The committee considered the following draft budget application for its study of the Canadian news media for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 215,800 |
| Transportation and Communications | 235,089 |
| All Other Expenditures | 19,060 |
| Total | $ 469,949 |
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved that the committee adopt the draft budget application for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee considered the following draft budget application for its legislative work for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005:
| Professional and Other Services | $ 5,000 |
| Transportation and Communications | 0 |
| All Other Expenditures | 1,000 |
| Total | $ 6,000 |
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved that the committee adopt the draft budget application for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:44 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 16, 2004
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, at 9:32 a.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Fraser, Merchant, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk, and Trenholme Counsell (7).
In attendance: Terrence Thomas, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
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 examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
WITNESSES:
National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada:
Thomas S. Saras, President;
Mashadi Massood, Vice-President, Press.
Messrs. Saras and Massood made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:54 a.m. the committee suspended.
At 10:56 a.m., the committee resumed in camera pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), and considered its agenda.
At 11:34 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday November 17, 2004
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, at 6:22 p.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Eyton, Fraser, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk, and Trenholme Counsell (7).
In attendance: Terrence Thomas, Research Analyst, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
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 examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Federation of University Women:
Susan Russell, Executive Director;
Sheila Clarke, Director of Legislation.
``The Walrus'':
Ken Alexander, Publisher.
Ms. Russell and Ms. Clarke made a presentation and answered questions.
Mr. Alexander made a statement and answered questions.
At 8:29 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Till Heyde
Clerk of the Committee