Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 1 - Evidence - Meeting of April 27, 2006
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 27, 2006
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 12:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate, to organize the activities of the committee.
[English]
Line Gravel, Clerk of the Committee: Honourable senators, I see a quorum. As clerk of the committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair, and I am ready to receive a motion to that effect.
Senator Angus: I move that Senator Grafstein be elected chair of the committee.
Ms. Gravel: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Angus that the Honourable Senator Grafstein do take the chair of the committee.
Are there any other nominations?
Senator Moore: I move that nominations cease.
Ms. Gravel: Seeing none, I will put the question.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Angus that the Honourable Senator Grafstein do take the chair. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms. Gravel: I declare the motion carried.
Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein (Chairman) in the chair.
The Chairman: The election of deputy chair is our next item of business, and I move that the deputy chair of the committee be the Honourable Senator David Angus.
There is a torrent of Liberal support for the Honourable David Angus.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Biron that Senator Angus be deputy chair of the committee. Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: We will change the process here, and I would ask Senator Angus to come up and sit next to me. This is the new formula of comity. It is my suggestion and he has agreed to it. I think it is important.
The next motion is 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; 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.
Senator Moore: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next item of business is a motion to print the evidence of committee meetings and that the chair be authorized to set the number to meet the demand.
Senator Tkachuk: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next item is a motion giving authorization to hold meetings and print evidence; that, pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized — dispense?
Senator Harb: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next motion is that the committee adopt the draft first report prepared in accordance with rule 104
Senator Callbeck: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next motion concerns research staff and specifies that the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the committee and that the chair be authorized to engage services.
Senator Harb: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed, honourable senators?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next motion deals with the authority to commit funds and to certify accounts.
Senator Tkachuk: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: We now come to travel. This motion states that the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate one or more members —
Senator Callbeck: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: The next motion concerns official business.
Senator Tkachuk: I so move.
Hon. Senators: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next, we have a motion dealing with the travel and living expenses of witnesses.
Senator Harb: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Next, we have a motion permitting coverage by electronic media of the committee's proceedings.
Senator Goldstein: I so move.
The Chairman: Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: It is suggested that the regular time slots for our meetings be Wednesday afternoons when the Senate rises, but not before 4 p.m., and Thursday mornings at 10:45. Is it agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The committee continued in camera.