Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Cities
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 25, 2009
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Cities of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:52 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Dyck, Eggleton, P.C. and Martin (4).
Other senators in attendance: The Honourable Senators Cook, Champagne, P.C. and Fairbairn, P.C. (3)
In attendance: Havi Echenberg, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament and Odette Madore, Acting Chief, Social, Health and Cultural Section, Social Affairs Division, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved that the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., do take the chair of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., took the chair.
The Honourable Martin moved that the Honourable Senator Segal be deputy chair of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the subcommittee 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 Martin moved:
That the subcommittee 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 Dyck 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 subcommittee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the subcommittee;
That the chair and deputy chair be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the subcommittee: and
That the chair, on behalf of the subcommittee, directs 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 Martin moved:
That, pursuant to 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 subcommittee;
That, pursuant to section 8, chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the subcommittee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the subcommittee; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dyck moved:
That the subcommittee empower the chair and deputy chair to designate, as required, one or more members of the subcommittee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the subcommittee 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 subcommittee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending an event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the subcommittee; and
That the chair and deputy chair report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the subcommittee travelling on subcommittee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the subcommittee 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 Dyck moved:
That the chair and deputy chair be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the subcommittee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the subcommittee of the time slot for meetings.
It was agreed that each member of the subcommittee be allowed to have staff persons present at in camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:56 p.m., it was agreed that the subcommittee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 2, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Cities met this day at 10:54 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Dyck, Eggleton, P.C., and Segal (4).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Keon (1).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg, 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 Tuesday, February 24, 2009, and delegated to the Subcommittee on Cities on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the subcommittee began its examination on issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities.
WITNESSES:
Canada West Foundation:
Roger Gibbins, President and CEO (by video conference).
Caledon Institute of Social Policy:
Sherri Torjman, Vice-President.
Wilfrid Laurier University:
Lea Caragata, Associate Professor.
Mr. Gibbins, Ms. Torjman and Ms. Caragata each made a presentation and answered questions.
At 12:13 p.m., Senator Segal took the chair.
At 12:16 p.m., Senator Eggleton, P.C., took the chair.
At 12:35 p.m., it was agreed that the subcommittee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Subcommittee