Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 14, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 4:05 p.m., this day, in room 505, Victoria Building, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Biron, Eyton, Goldstein, Harb, Massicotte, Meighen, Ringuette, and Tkachuk (9).
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved that the Honourable Senator Angus do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Harb moved that the Honourable Senator Goldstein be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk 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 designated 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 to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Massicotte moved:
That the committee print its proceedings, and that the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Meighen 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 from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Biron 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 Tkachuk 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 Harb 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 Ringuette 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 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.
The Honourable Senator Meighen moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling 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 Massicotte 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.
At 4:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to sit in camera to consider its agenda.
It was agreed that the Honourable Senators Tkachuk and Harb, and an analyst, be designated to travel on behalf of the committee to attend the conference of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce on November 28, 2007, and that the committee cover the expenses.
It was unanimously agreed that the clerk convey to the former chair of the committee, the Honourable Jerahmiel Grafstein, the deep appreciation and profound thanks of the members of the committee for his outstanding work, his commitment to the committee, and his relentless dedication.
At 5:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 15, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 10:45 a.m., this day, in room 505, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable W. David Angus, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Biron, Goldstein, Harb, Massicotte, Meighen, Ringuette and Tkachuk (8).
In attendance: Philippe Bergevin, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on November 13, 2007, the committee began its study of the Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Canada-United States Tax Convention Act, 1984.
APPEARING:
Ted Menzies, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.
WITNESSES:
Department of Finance Canada:
Brian Ernewein, General Director, Tax Policy Branch;
Lawrence Purdy, Senior Chief, Tax Legislation Division.
Mr. Menzies made a statement and, together with the other witnesses answered questions.
At 12:25 p.m., it was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-2.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that Schedule 1 carry.
It was agreed that Schedule 2 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the Bill carry.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-2 without amendment to the Senate.
At 12:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the committee