Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 20, 2007
(47)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 12:01 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Cowan, Day, Di Nino, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, Rompkey, P.C. and Stratton (11).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Baker, P.C., Dyck, Gustafson, McCoy, Mercer, Merchant, Moore, Peterson, Spivak (10).

In attendance: Tara Gray and Michael Holden, 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 Monday, June 18, 2007, the committee continued its study on Bill C-52, to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 18, dated June 19, 2007.)

APPEARING:

Government of Saskatchewan:

The Honourable Lorne Albert Calvert, M.L.A., Premier of Saskatchewan.

WITNESSES:

Government of Saskatchewan:

Dan Perrins, Deputy Minister to the Premier;

Dylan Jones, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Government Relations.

Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants:

Kevin Dancey, President.

Coalition of Canadian Energy Trusts:

Marcel R. Coutu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Oil Sands Limited.

Canadian Energy Infrastructure Group:

Robert (Bob) Michaleski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

Canada's Association for the 50 Plus:

Bill Gleberzon, Director of Government Relations;

Marguerite Alexander, member.

David Suzuki Foundation:

Pierre Sadik, Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainability Program.

Rick Hansen Foundation:

Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Head, Academic Division of Spine, Department of Orthopaedics, University of B.C.; and Cordula and Gunter Paetzold Chair in Spinal Cord Clinical Research.

The Chair made a statement.

The premier made a statement and, together with Mr. Jones, answered questions.

At 1:03 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:06 p.m., the committee resumed in camera, in room 7, Victoria Building.

It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to remain in the room during the in camera portion of this meeting.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the Chair, as a courtesy, extend an invitation to the Minister of Finance to return to appear before the committee on the morning of June 21, 2007 to answer any further questions before the committee proceeds to clause-by-clause examination of the bill.

It was agreed that, with the exception of the Minister of Finance previously agreed to, no additional witnesses, beyond those already on the agenda for the remainder of this day, be invited to speak to Bill C-52.

At 1:20 p.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, the committee continued its study on issues relating to the vertical and horizontal fiscal balances among the various orders of government in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3, dated September 26, 2006.)

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

The committee considered a draft report.

It was moved that the draft report be adopted and that the Chair table same in the Senate.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 1:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:30 p.m., the committee resumed in public in room 9, Victoria Building.

The Chair made a statement.

Messrs. Dancey, Coutu, Michaleski and Gleberzon each made a statement. Ms. Alexander replaced Mr. Gleberzon at the table and the witnesses answered questions.

At 4:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Sadik made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:46 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:48 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Chair made a statement.

Dr. Dvorak made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 20, 2007
(48)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 6:17 p.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, Rompkey, P.C. and Stratton (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Cochrane, Gustafson, Moore, Phalen and St. Germain, P.C. (6).

In attendance: Tara Gray and Michael Holden, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

As a panel:

The Honourable Patrick G. Binns, M.L.A.;

Paul Hobson, Professor, Acadia University;

Wade Locke, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Binns, Mr. Hobson and Mr. Locke each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, June 21 2007
(49)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 10:02 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

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

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Angus (1).

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

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to cause by clause consideration of Bill C-52, to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007.

With leave, 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.

It was agreed that clauses 2 to 42 carry on division.

It was agreed that clauses 43 and 44 carry on division.

It was agreed that clauses 45 to 53 carry on division.

It was agreed that clauses 54 to 59 carry on division.

It was agreed that clause 60 carry.

It was agreed that clauses 61 to 84 carry on division.

It was agreed that clauses 85 to 89 carry on division.

It was agreed that clause 90 carry.

It was agreed that clauses 91 to 123 carry.

It was agreed that clauses 124 to 131 carry on division.

It was agreed that clauses 132 to 143 carry.

It was agreed that clauses 144 to 150 carry.

It was agreed that clauses 151 to 153 carry on division.

It was agreed that clause 154 carry.

It was agreed that clause 1 carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry.

It was agreed that the Chair report the bill to the Senate, without amendment.

At 10:12 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Lynn Gordon

Acting Clerk of the Committee

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance