Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Monday, December 7, 2009
(44)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 1:04 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Day, Finley, Gerstein, Lang and Ringuette (6).
In attendance: Jean-François Nadeau and André Léonard, Analysts, 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 Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the committee began its examination on the subject-matter of Bill C-56, an Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 18.)
WITNESSES:
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:
Frank Vermaeten, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch;
Louis Beauséjour, Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch.
Service Canada:
Philip Clarke, Director General, Benefits Processing.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Vermaeten made a statement and, together with Mr. Beauséjour and Mr. Clarke, answered questions.
At 3:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 8, 2009
(45)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 9:35 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Callbeck, Carignan, Carstairs, P.C., Day, Di Nino, Finley, Gerstein, Lang, Mitchell and Ringuette (11).
In attendance: Jean-François Nadeau, 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, November 17, 2009, the committee continued its examination of the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 17.)
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee commenced in camera to consider a draft report.
It was agreed that staff be permitted to remain in the room.
It was agreed that the report be adopted.
It was agreed that the chair table the report on the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2009-2010 in the Senate.
It was agreed that the committee resume its meeting in public.
At 9:40 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:41 a.m., the committee resumed in public and, pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-51, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and to implement other measures. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 18.)
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-51, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and to implement other measures.
With leave, it was agreed that the chair group clauses according to the table of provisions.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed that clauses 2 to 17 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 18 and 19 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 20 to 22 carry.
It was agreed that clause 23 carry.
It was agreed that clause 24 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 25 to 43 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 44 to 46 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 47 to 50 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 51 to 57 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 58 to 61 carry.
It was agreed that clause 62 carry, on division.
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved that Bill C-51 be amended, on page 46, by adding, after the heading "Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act" and before line 26 the following:
"62.1 (1) Clause 60(1.5)(a)(ii)(A) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act is replaced by the following:
(A) an amount equal to the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that were required to be paid by the employer to the fund, and
(2) Clause 60(1.5)(a)(iii)(A) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(A) an amount equal to the amount that would be the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that the employer would be required to pay to the fund if the prescribed plan were regulated by an Act of Parliament, and".
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted on the following division:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Baker, P.C., Callbeck, Carstairs, P.C., Day, Mitchell, Ringuette — 6
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Carignan, Di Nino, Finley, Gerstein, Lang — 5
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved that Bill C-51 be amended, on page 46, by adding after line 29 the following:
"63.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after subsection 81.3(1):
81.3 (1.1) The claim of a clerk, servant, travelling salesperson, labourer or worker who is owed termination and severance pay by a bankrupt, less any amount paid by the trustee or by a receiver for that termination or severance pay, is secured as of the date of the bankruptcy by security on the bankrupt's current assets as of the date of the bankruptcy.
63.2 The Act is amended by adding the following after subsection 81.4(1):
81.4 (1.1) The claim of a clerk, servant, travelling salesperson, labourer or worker who is owed termination and severance pay by a person who is subject to a receivership, less any amount paid by a receiver or trustee for that termination or severance pay, is secured by security on the person's current assets that are in the possession or under the control of the receiver.
63.3 (1) Subparagraph 81.5(1)(b)(i) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(i) an amount equal to the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that were required to be paid by the employer to the fund, and
(2) Subparagraph 81.5(1)(c)(i) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(i) an amount equal to the amount that would be the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that the employer would be required to pay to the fund if the prescribed plan were regulated by an Act of Parliament, and
63.4 (1) Subparagraph 81.6(1)(b)(i) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(i) an amount equal to the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that were required to be paid by the employer to the fund, and
(2) Subparagraph 81.6(1)(c)(i) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(i) an amount equal to the amount that would be the normal cost, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985, and any amount considered to meet the standards for solvency determined in accordance with section 9 of those Regulations, that the employer would be required to pay to the fund if the prescribed plan were regulated by an Act of Parliament, and".
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted on the following division:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Baker, P.C., Callbeck, Carstairs, P.C., Day, Mitchell, Ringuette — 6
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Carignan, Di Nino, Finley, Gerstein, Lang — 5
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
It was agreed that clause 63 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 64 to 67 carry.
It was agreed that the schedule carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed, on division, that the bill carry.
It was agreed, on division, that the chair report the bill, as amended, to the Senate.
At 10:39 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:43 a.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the committee continued its examination on the subject-matter of Bill C-56, an Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
WITNESSES:
As an individual:
Michel Bédard, Former Chief Actuary, Employment Insurance Fund.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business:
Lucie Charron, Senior Economist;
Ian Dawkins, Policy Analyst.
The chair made a statement.
Ms. Charron and Mr. Bédard each made a statement and, together with Mr. Dawkins, answered questions.
At 11:52 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 9, 2009
(46)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 12:20 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Irving Gerstein, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Carignan, Carstairs, P.C., Di Nino, Finley, Gerstein and Ringuette (7).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Peterson (1).
In attendance: Jean-François Nadeau, 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 Wednesday, December 2, 2009, the committee continued its examination on the subject-matter of Bill C-56, an Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 18.)
WITNESSES:
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority:
Dr. Mike Harlos, Medical Director, Palliative Care Program (by video conference).
Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada:
Denise Page, Senior Health Policy Analyst, National Public Issues, Canadian Cancer Society.
As an individual:
Sharon Ruth.
The deputy chair made a statement.
Ms. Page, Dr. Harlos and Ms. Ruth each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 1:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Adam Thompson
Clerk of the Committee