Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 25, 2006
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in room 257, East Block, at 5:37 p.m., for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Angus, Banks, Carney, P.C., Fox, P.C., Lavigne, Milne, Peterson, Sibbeston and Spivak (10).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers and Frédéric Beauregard- Tellier.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved that the Honourable Senator Banks be chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks assumed the chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that the Honourable Senator Cochrane, in absentia, be deputy chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Sibbeston 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 schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Angus moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Lavigne 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 representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Angus 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 Lavigne 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 Milne 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 Fox, P.C. 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 Lavigne 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 a function, 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 Milne 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 Carney, P.C. 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 chair informed the committee that the time slots for its meetings are when the Senate rises but not before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8:00 a.m. on Thursdays.
It was agreed that the committee members' staff be allowed to stay in the room during in camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.
At 5:40 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera for consideration of a draft agenda.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following Order of Reference:
a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada's energy resources;
b) Environmental challenges facing Canada including responses to global climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and ecological integrity;
c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;
d) Canada's international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada's economic and social development; and,
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than June 30, 2007, and that the committee retain until September 1, 2007 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
At 6:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 27, 2006
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in camera, in room 257, East Block, at 9:05 a.m., the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Banks, Carney, P.C., Fox, P.C., Hervieux- Payette, P.C., Lavigne, Milne, Sibbeston, and Spivak (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Adams (1).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, the committee proceeded to study emerging issues related to its mandate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
At 10:13 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 2, 2006
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day in camera, in room 257, East Block, at 6:43 p.m., the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Cochrane, Milne, Sibbeston, Spivak and Tardif (6).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier and Kristen Douglas.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, the committee proceeded to study emerging issues related to its mandate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
It was moved by Senator Sibbeston that notwithstanding the decision of the committee on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of five members and that three members would constitute a quorum.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of Senators Angus, Banks, Cochrane, Milne and Spivak.
At 7:02 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee