Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 6, 2006
(7)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, 9:32 a.m., in camera, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cools, Cowan, Day, Eggleton, P.C., Fox, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, and Stratton (10).

In attendance: Guy Beaumier, Odette Madore, and Alex Smith, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, the committee continued its examination of the expenditures set out in the Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1, dated April 25, 2006.)

It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to remain in the room for this meeting.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded to consider a draft report.

At 11:18 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Monday, June 19, 2006
(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 6:02 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable senators Angus, Cools, Day, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Ringuette, and Rompkey, P.C. (10).

Other senators in attendance: The Hourable Senators Austin, P.C. and Stratton (2).

In attendance: Tara Gray, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, the committee began its examination of Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on May 2, 2006.

APPEARING:

The Honourable James Michael Flaherty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance.

WITNESSES:

Diane Ablonczy, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

Department of Finance Canada:

Paul-Henri Lapointe, Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch;

Serge Nadeau, General Director, Tax Policy Branch;

Réal Bouchard, General Director, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch;

Serge Dupont, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Sector Policy Branch.

Genworth Financial Canada:

Peter Vukanovich, President and Chief Executive Officer.

AIG United Guaranty Canada:

Andy Charles, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Flaherty made a statement and, with Messrs Nadeau, Dupont, and Lapointe, answered questions.

At 7:52 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

Messrs. Charles and Vukanovich made statements and answered questions.

At 8:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 20, 2006
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, 9:00 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable senators Angus, Biron, Cools, Day, Eggleton, P.C., Fox, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Ringuette, and Rompkey, P.C. (12).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Stratton (1).

In attendance: Gérald Lafrenière, Committee Clerk, the Senate; and Tara Grey, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on May 2, 2006.

WITNESSES:

Wee Watch:

Leslie Wilson, Vice-President.

Caledon Institute of Social Policy:

Ken Battle, President.

Canadian Child Care Federation:

Lana Crossman, Communications Manager.

REAL Women of Canada:

Gwendolyn Landolt, National Vice-President.

Global Insight Canada:

Dale Orr, Managing Director, Canadian Macroeconomic Services.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation:

John Williamson, Federal Director.

Fraser Institute:

Niels Veldhuis, Associate Director, Fiscal Studies.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada:

Sheryl Harris, Acting Assistant Director, Children's Policy.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:

Lorraine Clayton, Senior Economic and Policy Advisor, Federal Project Coordination Secretariat.

Ms. Crossman, Mr. Battle, Ms. Wilson, and Ms. Landolt made statements and answered questions.

At 10:03 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:07 a.m., the committee resumed.

Messrs. Orr, Williamson, and Veldhuis made statements and answered questions.

At 11:02 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:05 a.m., the committee resumed.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on May 2, 2006.

It was agreed that the clauses be grouped according to parts of the bill for the purpose of clause-by-clause consideration.

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1 stand postponed.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved that clauses 2 to 50 carry.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved that clauses 51 to 88 carry.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved that clauses 89 and 90 carry.