Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

Issue 16 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 8, 2012

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 8, 2012
(32)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, at 8:02 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable W. David Angus, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Brown, Lang, Massicotte, Mitchell, Neufeld, Peterson, Seidman and Wallace (9).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Raine (1).

In attendance: Marc LeBlanc and Sam Banks, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), it was agreed that the committee proceed in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda.

At 8:18 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:20 a.m., the committee resumed in public.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 16, 2011, the committee continued its examination of the current state and future of Canada's energy sector (including alternative energy). (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

It was agreed that the current budget under consideration today be revised to include the names of the two (2) known contractors, Peter Terkzakian and Sebastian Gault.

It was agreed that the following revised special study budget application (energy sector), for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, be approved, that the chair and deputy chair be empowered to make minor revisions to the application if required, and that the chair be authorized to submit the application to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

Professional and Other Services	$ 82,021
Transportation and Communications	$ 68,802
All Other Expenditures	$ 11,000
TOTAL	$ 161,823

At 8:22 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:25 a.m., the committee resumed.

WITNESSES:

Tides Canada:

Sarah Goodman, Vice President, Business Development and Services;

Merran Smith, Director, Tides Canada Energy Initiative.

The chair made an opening statement.

Ms. Goodman and Ms. Smith each made a statement and, together, answered questions.

At 10:23 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Lynn Gordon

Clerk of the Committee