Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 27, 2007
(29)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 10:17 a.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Day, Di Nino, Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, and Stratton (8).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament, and Lynn Gordon, Committee Clerk, Committees Directorate, Senate.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 22, 2007, the committee began it study of the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, with the exception of Parliament Vote 10.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., President of the Treasury Board.
WITNESSES:
Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat:
David Moloney, Senior Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector;
Laura Danagher, Executive Director, Expenditure Operations and Estimates Division, Expenditure Management Sector.
The Chair made a statement.
The minister made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 11:43 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 20, 2007
(30)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 8:30 a.m. in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Day, Eggleton, P.C., Fox, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C., and Stratton (9).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, 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 Wednesday, February 28, 2007, the committee began its examination of the expenditures set out in the Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, with the exception of Parliament Vote 10.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Vic Toews, P.C., M.P., President of the Treasury Board.
WITNESSES:
Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat:
David Moloney, Senior Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector;
Laura Danagher, Executive Director, Expenditure Operations and Estimates Division, Expenditure Management Sector.
The Chair made a statement.
At 8:35 a.m., the minister made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 10:25 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:27 a.m., the committee considered the following draft budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 for its study of vertical and horizontal fiscal balances between the different levels of government in Canada.
Professional and Other Services $ 11,200 Transport and Communications — All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 12,200
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton that the draft budget application be adopted and that the Chair submit the budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee proceeded to consider the following draft budget application for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, for the purposes of its study of bills, subject-matter of bills, and Estimates:
Professional and Other Services $ 46,800 Transport and Communications 15,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 62,800
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., that the draft budget application be adopted and that the Chair submit the budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 10:40 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera to consider draft reports.
It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to remain during this in camera session.
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 26, 2006.)
The committee considered a draft report.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 22, 2007, the committee continued its study of the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, with the exception of Parliament Vote 10.
The committee considered a draft report.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 10:43 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 21, 2007
(31)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, in camera, at 6:27 p.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Day, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Nancy Ruth and Ringuette (6).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament, and Lynn Gordon, Committee Clerk, Committees Directorate, Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, the committee continued its examination of the expenditures set out in the estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, with the exception of Parliament Vote 10.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded to consider a draft report.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Mitchell, that the report be adopted, subject to the changes made at this meeting and that the Chair present the report to the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee discussed a future draft agenda.
It was agreed that the committee begin hearings on Bill S-215 with officials from the Department of Finance on Tuesday, March 27, 2007.
It was agreed that the staff prepare a list of potential witnesses for the committee's study of Bill S-215 and for the study on issues relating to the vertical and horizontal fiscal balances.
At 6:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 27, 2007
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:31 a.m. in room 2, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Day, Mitchell, Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, and Stratton (6).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, 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, February 20, 2007, the committee began its examination of Bill S-215, to amend the Income Tax Act in order to provide tax relief.
WITNESSES:
Department of Finance Canada:
Baxter Williams, Personal Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch;
Don Wilson, Senior Chief, Personal Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch.
The Chair made a statement.
The witnesses answered questions.
At 10:37 a.m. the committee suspended.
At 10:39 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft future agenda.
At 10:47 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Lynn Gordon
Acting Clerk of the Committee