Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on Aging
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
Monday, November 19, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on Aging met this day at 1:05p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, P.C., Chaput, Cools, Cordy, Keon and Stratton (6).
In attendance: Julie Cool and Michael Toye, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Keon moved that the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., be chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., took the chair.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved that the Honourable Senator Keon be deputy chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Keon 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 designed 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 Chaput moved:
That the committee print copies of 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 Chaput moved:
That, pursuant to rule89, 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 from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the committee;
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 Chaput moved:
That, pursuant to section32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section7, 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 section34 of the Financial Administration Act, and section8, 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 Keon 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 Keon 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 paragraph8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June3, 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.
It was agreed that the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., beconsidered on official business on November20, 2007, for thepurpose of making a presentation at Queen's University on behalf of the committee.
The Honourable Senator Chaput 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 Cordy moved:
That, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed that the committee meet from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m. on Mondays.
At 1:21 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:23p.m., pursuant to rule92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that the senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room.
At 1:55p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Monday, November 26, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Special Senate Committee on Aging met this day at 12:39p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Sharon Carstairs, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, P.C., Chaput, Comeau, Cordy and Keon (5).
In attendance: Julie Cool and Michael Toye, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November1, 2007, the committee commenced consideration of the implications of an aging society in Canada.
WITNESSES:
Human Resources and Social Development Canada:
Shawn Tupper, Director General, Social Policy Development;
Dominique La Salle, Director General, Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat;
Roman Habtu, Manager, OAS Benefits Policy.
Department of Finance Canada:
Frank Vermaeten, Director General, Assistant Deputy Minister's Office;
Krista Campbell, Senior Chief, Federal-Provincial Relations Division;
Andrew Staples, Acting Chief, Federal-Provincial Relations Division.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr.La Salle made a presentation and, with Mr.Tupper and Ms.Habtu, answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Keon moved:
That the following special study budget application (aging) be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
| Professional and other services | $ 30,000 |
| Transportation and Communications | 28,975 |
| All other expenditures | 2,500 |
| TOTAL | $ 61,475 |
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
At 1:45 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:50 p.m., the committee resumed.
The chair made a statement.
Ms.Campbell made a presentation and, with Mr.Vermaeten, answered questions.
The chair made a closing statement.
At 3:07p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee