Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 29 - Evidence - April 2, 2015
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, to which was referred Bill C-21, An Act to control the administrative burden that regulations impose on businesses, met this day at 9 a.m. to give clause-by-clause consideration to the bill.
Senator Joseph A. Day (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: This morning the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance proposes to proceed with consideration of Bill C-21, An Act to control the administrative burden that regulations impose on business. We've heard from witnesses. We've had a good hearing, and I believe we are in agreement that we should proceed with clause- by-clause consideration at this time. Seeing no objection, I propose to follow the usual pattern and script for clause-by- clause consideration.
Before I begin, let me remind senators that if at any time you are not sure what we're doing or where we are in the process, please interrupt so we can make sure that you understand. This is a very important part of the process in dealing with bills. An important part of our work as senators is to deal with proposed legislation, and clause-by-clause consideration is a very important step in the final part of the committee work.
Senator Massicotte: I don't know the rules very well, chair, but the critic can take 40 minutes in the Senate. Given I only used 3 minutes, can I make a 37-minute speech? Is that appropriate?
An Hon. Senator: A 30-second speech.
Senator Massicotte: My 30-second speech is: I fully support the bill.
The Chair: Thank you very much.
We did hear that this is just the first step, so we look forward to you using the rest of your time on the next piece of legislation, if and when we see it.
I will begin now, honourable senators.
[Translation]
Honourable senators, shall we proceed with the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-21, An Act to control the administrative burden that regulations impose on businesses?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
[English]
The Chair: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall the preamble stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed? It sounds like we're postponing the whole bill here, but we'll get back to those.
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 3 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 4 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 5 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 6 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 7 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 8 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried.
Shall clause 9 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall clause 10 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
[Translation]
The Chair: Shall clause 11 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Carried. Thank you.
[English]
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Shall the preamble carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed. Thank you.
Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Is it anyone's desire to attach any observations to this particular bill?
Senator Massicotte: Excellent, exclamation mark.
The Chair: I think I will give you the opportunity to say that at debate on third reading.
Shall the bill as a whole carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Is it agreed, honourable senators, that we file this unanimous report with the Senate at the earliest opportunity?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed. Thank you.
I would like to congratulate Senator Black and Senator Massicotte for their leadership in relation to this bill. Thank you.
Senator Black: Mr. Chairman, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for running fantastic, comprehensive, respectful hearings. I appreciate that.
Thank you to the committee members for your engagement in this process, and especially to Senator Massicotte, the critic, who defines what a critic is, which is constructive criticism. I want to thank you very much for the courtesy you have shown me.
Senator Massicotte: Thank you very much. I make the same comment, but I want to warn Senator Black in particular: This was an easy one. You didn't really see what we can do as real critics. The next one hopefully will be more substantial and you'll see what we're all about. You'll see the character behind the words.
The Chair: Thank you for all of the support.
(The committee adjourned.)