Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 16, 2011

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 16, 2011
(12)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met in camera this day at 4:19 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the char, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Braley, Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Demers, Eggleton, P.C., Hubley, Meighen, Merchant, Ogilvie, Peterson, Seidman and Verner, P.C. (12).

In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Karin Phillips, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the committee continued its study on accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.

It was agreed that the report be adopted in principle with the requested changes and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve an executive summary of the report.

It was agreed that, pursuant to rule 131(2), a government response be requested if the report is adopted by the Senate and that the Minister of Human Resources Skills Development Canada be designated the Minister responsible for responding to the report.

It was agreed that notwithstanding the decision taken on September 28, 2011, the minutes for that meeting only reflect that the committee considered a draft report during the in camera portion of the meeting.

At 4:58 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered 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 Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on prescription pharmaceuticals in Canada, including but not limited to:

(a) the process to approve prescription pharmaceuticals with a particular focus on clinical trials;

(b) the post-approval monitoring of prescription pharmaceuticals;

(c) the off-label use of prescription pharmaceuticals; and

(d) the nature of unintended consequences in the use of prescription pharmaceuticals.

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2013 and that the committee retain until March 31, 2014, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

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 social inclusion and cohesion in Canada;

That the study be national in scope, and include a focus on 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 June 30, 2012, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

At 5:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee