Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 11, 2010
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:36 a.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 Callbeck, Cordy, Demers, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Keon, Martin, Merchant, Ogilvie and Seidman (11).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Daniel Thompson, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Karen Schwinghamer, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Ogilvie moved:
That the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C. do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., took the chair.
The chair made introductory remarks.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C. moved:
That the Honourable Senator Ogilvie be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Ogilvie moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, 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 schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Merchant moved:
That the committee publish its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number of printed copies to meet demand.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eaton moved:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the publication 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 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 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 committee;
That, pursuant to 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; 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 Seidman 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 Callbeck 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; and
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dyck moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses 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 Demers moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to direct communications officer(s) assigned to the committee in the development of communication plans where appropriate and to request the services of the Senate Communications Directorate for the purpose of their development implementation; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the committee'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 noted that the time slots for regular meetings are Wednesdays (4:15 to 6:15 p.m.) and Thursdays (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
It was agreed that each member of the committee be allowed to have staff present at in camera meetings, unless there is a decision for a particular meeting to exclude all staff.
At 10:53 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to examine:
(a) poverty, housing and homelessness;
(b) social inclusion and cohesion;
(c) urban economies;
(d) models for collaboration and co-operation among governments;
That the study be national in scope, and include a focus on the largest urban community in each of the provinces;
That the study report include proposed solutions, with an emphasis on collaborative strategies involving, federal, provincial and municipal governments;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than October 30, 2011, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
It was agreed that the Senator Callbeck be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada, including but not limited to:
(a) analysis of the current barriers in post-secondary education, such as geography, family income levels, means of financing for students, debt levels and challenges faced specifically by Aboriginal students;
(b) evaluation of the current mechanisms for students to fund post-secondary education, such as Canada Student Loans Program, Canada Student Grants Program, Canada Access Grants, funding for Aboriginal students, Canada Learning Bonds, and Registered Education Savings Plans;
(c) evaluation of the current mechanisms to fund scientific research and development in post-secondary and related institutions and the commercialization of such research;
(d) examination of the current federal/provincial transfer mechanism for post-secondary education;
(e) evaluation of the potential establishment of a dedicated transfer for post-secondary education; and
(f) any other matters related to the study;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject during of the Second Session of the Fortieth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2010, and that the committee retain until June 30, 2011, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
It was agreed that Senator Eaton be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the shared identity of Canadians, the awareness of Canadians of that identity, and the steps that governments and private and public institutions in our country could take to strengthen and promote that identity;
That that the committee, specifically, examine, prepare separate reports and make detailed recommendations on the following key elements related to Canadian identity:
(a) the privileges and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship in the modern age;
(b) the evolution and future of multiculturalism in Canada;
(c) the role our country's Aboriginal peoples play in helping all Canadians — Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike — to fully reveal and understand their shared identity;
(d) the historical memory of Canadians, especially students;
(e) the way Canadians view vital public institutions, pivotal events in the life of this country, and heroic men and women of our country; and
(f) the image of Canada and Canadians abroad and the implications of this image for Canada and Canadians;
That the committee submit its final report no later than March 31, 2012, and that the committee retain until June 30, 2012, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
It was agreed that a revised order of reference for a study on science and technology be drafted for consideration by the committee at a future meeting.
At 11:32 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 18, 2010
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day in camera at 10:31 a.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Demers, Eggleton, P.C., Keon, Martin, Ogilvie and Seidman (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Plett (1).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Daniel Thompson, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Karen Schwinghamer, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) and (f), the committee considered a draft agenda and a draft report.
It was agreed that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
It was moved that, subject to the Senate adopting the motion referring to the committee the order of reference on post-secondary education, the committee adopt the proposed work plan and witness list for the study.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 25, 2010
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:32 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Martin, Ogilvie and Seidman (8).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Daniel Thompson, 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 Thursday, March 18, 2010, the committee began its study on accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.
WITNESSES:
As an individual:
Dale Kirby, Assistant Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Education.
Statistics Canada:
Richard Mueller, Senior Analyst, Social Analysis Division.
Association of Canadian Community Colleges:
Patricia Lang, Member.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Kirby, Ms. Lang and Mr. Mueller each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 12:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 31, 2010
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:23 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Martin, Mercer, Ogilvie, Rivard and Seidman (10).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Daniel Thompson, 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 Thursday, March 18, 2010, the committee continued its study on accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
Dave Snow, Researcher, Macdonald-Laurier Institute for Public Policy.
Jane Preston, PhD candidate, University of Saskatchewan.
Caledon Institute of Social Policy:
Michael Mendelson, Senior Scholar.
Centre for the Study of Living Standards:
Andrew Sharpe, Executive Director.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Mendelson, Ms. Preston, Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Snow each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 6:15p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee