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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce

Issue 17 - Minutes of Proceedings

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OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 21, 2007
(34)

[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, Baker, P.C., Banks, Biron, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Massicotte and Meighen (10).

In attendance: June Dewetering, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on February 28, 2007, the committee continued its study of the Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate). (For complete text of the order of reference, see Proceedings of the Committee, Issue No. 16.)

WITNESSES:

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada:

Bruno Lévesque, Acting Director, Consumer Education and Public Affairs Branch;

John Rossi, Director.

Competition Bureau Canada:

Colette Downie, Acting Deputy Commissioner;

David McAllister, Senior Advisor.

Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments:

David Agnew.

Consumers' Association of Canada:

Bruce Cran, President;

Mel Fruitman, Vice-President.

At 4:10 p.m., Mr. Lévesque, Ms. Downie and Mr. Agnew each made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 5:35 p.m., Mr. Fruitman made and statement and, together with the other witness, answered questions.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Line Gravel

Clerk of the Committee

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