Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 7, 2012

OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 7, 2012
(24)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 9:30 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Day, Gerstein, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Marshall, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Ringuette, Rivard and Runciman (10).

In attendance: Édison Roy-César and Terrence Thomas, 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, October 6, 2011, the committee continued its study on the potential reasons for price discrepancies in respect of certain goods between Canada and the United States, given the value of the Canadian dollar and the effect of cross border shopping on the Canadian economy. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:

Martin Lavoie, Director of Policy, Manufacturing Competitiveness and Innovation.

Option consommateurs:

Jean-François Vinet, Business Practices and Financial Services File Analyst (by video conference).

Public Interest Advocacy Centre:

Michael Janigan, Executive Director and General Counsel;

Janet Lo, Legal Counsel.

Consumers' Association of Canada:

Bruce Cran, President.

The Honourable Senator Gerstein moved that the Honourable Senator Neufeld be deputy chair of this committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Mr. Lavoie made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:35 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:37 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Cran made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Janigan made a statement and, together with Ms. Lo, answered questions.

Ms. Lo made a statement.

Mr. Vinet made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:36 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee