Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 13, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:34 a.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Day, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Moore, Nancy Ruth, Ringuette and Stratton (10).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Shahrzad Mobasher Fard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee proceeded to organize pursuant to rule 88.
The clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved that the Honourable Senator Day do take the chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Day took the chair.
The Honourable Senator Day moved that the Honourable Senator Stratton be deputy chair of the committee.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Moore 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell 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 Di Nino 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.
After debate, 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 rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton 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 Di Nino, 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 Di Nino 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 Biron 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 Di Nino 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 Mitchell 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 9:41 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to remain during the in camera portion of this meeting.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved that the committee do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Accordingly, at 10:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 14, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 6:14 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, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette and Stratton (10).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Shahrzad Mobasher Fard, 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 Tuesday, November 13, 2007, the committee began its examination of the expenditures set out in the estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
WITNESSES:
Public Service Commission of Canada:
Maria Barrados, President;
Linda Gobeil, Senior Vice-President, Policy Branch;
Donald Lemaire, Vice-President, Staffing and Assessment Services Branch;
Mary Clennett, Vice-President, Audit, Evaluation and Studies Branch.
The chair made a statement.
Ms. Barrados made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 8:09 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 20, 2007
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:37 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, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette and Stratton (9).
In attendance: Tara Gray and Shahrzad Mobasher Fard, 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 Tuesday, November 13, 2007, the committee began its examination of the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
WITNESSES:
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:
David Moloney, Senior Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector;
Brian Pagan, Acting Executive Director, Expenditure Operations and Estimates Division, Expenditure Management Sector.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Moloney made a statement, and together with Mr. Pagan, answered questions.
At 11:17 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Lynn Gordon
Clerk of the Committee