Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 26, 2006
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, at 6:15 p.m., in room 505, Victoria Building for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Carney, P.C., Dawson, Fraser, Johnson, Mercer, Merchant, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk and Zimmer (12).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova and Terrence Thomas, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved that the Honourable Senator Bacon do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bacon took the chair.
The Honourable Senator Merchant moved that the Honourable Senator Tkachuk be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Merchant moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair and the Honourable Senator Munson; and
That the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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 Tkachuk moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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 member of the committee of the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Phalen 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 Mercer moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign 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 Munson 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 Mercer 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 Tkachuk 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 an 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 Merchant moved that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses 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 Munson 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 of the time slot for its regular meetings.
The committee discussed its future business.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Johnson that the chair seek an Order of Reference to resume its study of Canadian media.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 2, 2006
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met in camera this day, at 9:30 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Dawson, Fraser, Johnson, Mercer, Merchant, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk and Zimmer (11).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova and Terrence Thomas, Analysts.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee began its consideration of the current state of Canadian media industries; emerging trends and developments in these industries; the media's role, rights, and responsibilities in Canadian society; and current and appropriate future policies relating thereto.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
The committee considered a draft report.
The committee considered a draft agenda.
At 10:00 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 9, 2006
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met in camera this day, at 9:30 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Dawson, Fraser, Mercer, Munson, Phalen, Tkachuk and Zimmer (9).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova and Terrence Thomas, Analysts.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the current state of Canadian media industries; emerging trends and developments in these industries; the media's role, rights, and responsibilities in Canadian society; and current and appropriate future policies relating thereto.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
The committee considered a draft agenda.
The committee considered a draft report.
At 10:10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 17, 2006
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met in camera this day, at 6:20 p.m., in room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Fraser, Johnson, Merchant, Munson, Tkachuk and Zimmer (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Hubley (1).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova and Joseph Jackson, Analysts.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the current state of Canadian media industries; emerging trends and developments in these industries; the media's role, rights, and responsibilities in Canadian society; and current and appropriate future policies relating thereto.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Adams:
That the in camera proceedings of the meeting be transcribed;
That the transcription be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by members of the committee;
That, with the exception of one copy that is to be provided to the analyst assigned by the Library of Parliament, no copies be made of the transcription; and
That thirty days following the tabling of the final report of the Committee on its study of Canadian media ownership, or upon the prorogation or dissolution of the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, whichever is earlier, the clerk of the committee destroy both copies of the transcription.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
The committee considered a draft report.
At 8:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 6, 2006
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met in camera this day, at 9:34 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Fraser, Johnson, Munson, Tkachuk and Zimmer (7).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova, Joseph Jackson and Terrence Thomas, Analysts.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the current state of Canadian media industries; emerging trends and developments in these industries; the media's role, rights, and responsibilities in Canadian society; and current and appropriate future policies relating thereto.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
The committee considered a draft report.
At 10:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 7, 2006
(6)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, at 6:15 p.m., in room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Lise Bacon, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Bacon, Cowan, Eyton, Fraser, Johnson, Munson and Tkachuk (8).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament, Allison Padova, Joseph Jackson and Terrence Thomas, Analysts.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee considered the following budget for legislation for 2006-2007:
Summary of Expenditures
Professional and Other Services $ 10,000 Transportation and Communications $ 0 All Other Expenditures $ 2,000 TOTAL $ 12,000
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved the adoption of the budget.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee considered the following budget for its study of the Canadian News media for 2006-2007:
Summary of Expenditures
Professional and Other Services $ 15,500 Transportation and Communications $ 1,000 All Other Expenditures $ 2,000 TOTAL $ 18,500 The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved the adoption of the budget.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The committee considered the following budget for its examination of containerized freight traffic handled by Canada's ports for 2006-2007:
Summary of Expenditures
Professional and Other Services $ 62,400 Transportation and Communications $ 220,294 All Other Expenditures $ 14,500 TOTAL $ 297,194
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved the adoption of the budget.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:20 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of the current state of Canadian media industries; emerging trends and developments in these industries; the media's role, rights, and responsibilities in Canadian society; and current and appropriate future policies relating thereto.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera meeting.
The committee considered a draft report.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Fraser, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson, that the report be adopted and that the chair and deputy chair be authorized to make minor changes without altering the content of the report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 7:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee