Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 7, 2006
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 4:05 p.m., this day, in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Biron, Eyton, Fitzpatrick, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Massicotte, Meighen, Moore and Tkachuk (12).
In attendance: June Dewetering and Sheena Starky, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on May 2, 2006, the committee continued its study of the present state of the domestic and international financial system. (For the complete text of Order of Reference see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)
Topic: Study on issues associated with potential economic consequences, on both sides of the border, of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Embassy in Washington:
The Honourable Michael Wilson, Ambassador.
United States House of Representatives:
Representative Louise McIntosh Slaughter (New York).
Tourism Industry Association of Canada:
Randy Williams, President and CEO.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:
Gordon Cherry, Director, Trade and Commercial Policy.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce:
Shirley-Ann George, Vice President, International Policy;
Robert McKinstry, Senior Policy Analyst.
At 4:05 p.m., the Honourable Michael Wilson made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:50 p.m., Representative Louise McIntosh Slaughter made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:40 p.m., Mr. William, Mr. Cherry and Ms. George each made statements and took notes of questions.
At 6:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 8, 2006
(9)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 10:55 a.m., this day, in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Di Nino, Fitzpatrick, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Massicotte, Meighen, Moore and Tkachuk (10).
In attendance: Philippe Bergevin, June Dewetering and Sheena Starky, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on May 2, 2006, the committee continued its study of the present state of the domestic and international financial system. (For the complete text of Order of Reference see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)
Topic: Study on issues associated with potential economic consequences, on both sides of the border, of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
WITNESSES:
Binational Tourism Alliance:
Arlene White, Executive Director.
Canadian Tourism Commission:
Michele McKenzie, President and CEO.
Canada Border Services Agency:
Andrea Spry, Director General.
Industry Canada:
Alain Beaudoin, Director General.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
Angelo I. Amador, Director, Immigration Policy.
Canadian-American Business Council:
Charles A. Tievsky, Lawyer.
Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance:
Jim Phillips, President and CEO.
At 10:55 a.m., Ms. White, Ms. McKenzie, Ms. Spry and Mr. Beaudoin each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:25 p.m., Mr. Amador, Mr. Tievsky and Mr. Phillips each made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed that the document U.S. Customs and Protection: On a typical Day become part of the record of the committee.
At 1:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee