Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings -  November 20, 2013 (Evening meeting)

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 20, 2013
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 6:46 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Buth, Callbeck, Chaput, Day, Gerstein, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Mockler and Seth (9).

In attendance: Sylvain Fleury and Raphaëlle Deraspe, 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 Tuesday, November 5, 2013, the committee continued its examination of the subject-matter of Bill C-4, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures.

WITNESSES:

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Michael Duffy, Director, Legislative Policy Analysis, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch;

Annette Ryan, Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch;

Brian Hickey, Director, Policy Initiatives and Issues Management;

Alexis Conrad, Director General, Temporary Foreign Workers;

Catherine Allison, Director, Strategic Portfolio Communications, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Branch;

Atiq Rahman, Director, Operational Policy and Research, Learning Branch;

Brenda Baxter, Acting Director General, Workplace Directorate (Labour).

Department of Finance Canada:

François Masse, Chief, Labour, Market, Employment, and Learning;

Kevin Wright, Chief, Financial Markets Division;

Toni Gravelle, General Director, Financial Sector Policy Branch.

Canada Revenue Agency:

Ray Cuthbert, Director, CPP/EI Rulings Division, Legislative Policy Directorate.

Privy Council Office:

David Dendooven, Director of Strategic Policy, Machinery of Government.

Mr. Duffy, Mr. Masse, Ms. Ryan, Mr. Cuthbert and Mr. Hickey each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Conrad, Ms. Allison, Mr. Raqman and Mr. Dendooven each made a statement and, together with Ms. Baxter, answered questions.

At 8:37 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:38 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Wright and Mr. Gravelle each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:49 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:50 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Dendooven made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:04 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee