Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 1 - Evidence - December 10, 2015
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 10, 2015
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 6:38 p.m., pursuant to rule 12- 13 of the Rules of the Senate, to organize the activities of the committee.
[English]
Lynn Gordon, Clerk of the Committee: Honourable senators, as clerk of the committee, it is my duty to preside over the election of the chair.
[Translation]
Are there any nominations?
Senator Maltais: I nominate Senator Tkachuk.
[English]
Senator Massicotte: May I make a comment?
Ms. Gordon: I believe we need to proceed right away with the voting of the chair.
Senator Massicotte: Once you make a motion, you have a right. It's in debate.
Ms. Gordon: The only thing I can proceed with first is the election of chair.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Maltais that the Honourable Senator Tkachuk do take the chair of this committee. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Ms. Gordon: The motion is carried.
Senator Tkachuk, I invite you to take the chair.
Senator David Tkachuk (Chair) in the chair.
Senator Massicotte: I just want to formally note my objection to the process that we followed. I know the leadership decides all this. I know the committee votes for the chair and deputy chair, but for many years now it's a perfunctory function that we just listen immediately to the decision of our leadership and we name whoever is named.
I want to be on the record that I don't agree with that. I think it diminishes the role of the senators we have, and it infringes too much between Conservatives and Liberals as if it should make much difference in the way we vote. We should vote for what is right for Canada, and it should not be based on partisan lines. This committee has functioned very well on that basis.
I agree with the election this time. We've got a chair, and I'm sure we have a deputy chair lined up, but as you noticed, the deputy chair, given her young age, may not be with us in three or four months. I request that when that replacement occurs, we should have a secret ballot vote by the committee to seek a replacement of the deputy chair.
An Hon. Senator: I second.
The Chair: So this is a comment. This is not a motion.
Senator Massicotte: A comment, but for further advice —
The Chair: I understand that. Thank you.
I had a conversation with Senator Massicotte previous to the meeting. I knew it was coming up, so it's done. How we handle it in April, we'll handle it in April. We'll sort it out there.
The second item on the agenda is the election of a deputy chair. I need a motion.
[Translation]
Senator Hervieux-Payette: Senator Massicotte, do you not want to run, since I am yielding the floor to you?
[English]
Senator Tannas: I will move the nomination of Senator Hervieux-Payette.
The Chair: Thank you.
Are there any other nominations for deputy chair? If not, then it is acclaimed.
Next is the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and one other member of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
I believe we have a nominee for the steering committee.
Senator Tannas: Yes.
The Chair: Would you like to move that?
Senator Tannas: I move that we appoint Senator Black as the third member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
The Chair: Thank you.
Are there are any further nominations? If no further nominations, then I declare it acclaimed.
Motion to publish the committee's proceedings: It is moved that the committee publish its proceedings.
I need a mover and a seconder. Senator Greene. Thank you, senator.
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Authorization to hold meetings and to receive evidence. I need a motion:
That, pursuant to rule 12-17, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the publication of the evidence when —
Senator Smith? All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Research staff. We just need a motion. Okay.
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Unless you want me to read it.
Senator Massicotte: No.
The Chair: I can dispense with that.
Authority to commit funds and certify accounts. I need a motion. Senator Smith?
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Good.
Travel. Senator Greene?
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Designation of members travelling on committee business. Senator Massicotte?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Travelling and living expenses of witnesses. Senator Hervieux-Payette?
Agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Broadcasting. Senator Massicotte again.
We're moving this right along. Glad to see you're participating.
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Agreed.
Time slot for regular meetings, Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Is that good for everybody?
All in favour?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Is there any other business? If no other business —
Senator Hervieux-Payette: I don't know if you have received or read a report my office and I have prepared on the question of exports. It's a very comprehensive document that took over a year to prepare. That's why I have a motion in the Senate to study exports, since we are not doing very well.
I will make my speech when we come back, but I would like to encourage senators to read the report. I'm sure our great economist, Senator Bellemare, will read it.
I just want to prepare you for my motion. I think if we were to look into this matter, we would be doing a great service to Canada.
Thank you.
The Chair: You're welcome.
I want all senators to think of future studies. I'm sure we'll have bills to deal with as well. We can either do it by writing over the six-week period, by email, and then we can make some decisions when we come back here in February so we can get to work right away if that's okay with you.
Senator Massicotte: On another issue, Mr. Chair, would you be so kind — we adopted a position, a tradition, but I would like to revert back to what other committees normally do where the chair and deputy chair sit up front at the committees. Would you agree with that?
The Chair: No, I don't.
Senator Greene: I don't agree with it either, actually.
Senator Massicotte: You have a right to be disagreeable.
The Chair: That's true, we do.
If there's no further business, we are adjourned. Merry Christmas.
(The committee adjourned.)