Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue No. 53 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 28, 2017 (morning meeting)

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
(127)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:31 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Black, Cools, Day, Eaton, Forest, Mockler, Neufeld, Oh and Pratte (9).

In attendance: Alex Smith and Sylvain Fleury, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on November 7, 2017, and to the committee decision made on November 20, 2017, the chair presided over the election of the deputy chairs.

The Honourable Senator Forest moved:

That the Honourable Senator Pratte be deputy chair of the committee.

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

The Honourable Senator Day moved:

That the Honourable Senator Jaffer be deputy chair of the committee.

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

The Honourable Senator Neufeld moved:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair and the two deputy chairs;

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.

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

The Honourable Senator Day moved:

That, pursuant to rule 12-17, the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and authorize the publication of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from the opposition, a member of the committee representing the Independent Senators Group, and a member of the committee representing the Senate Liberals be present.

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

At 9:41 a.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday November 23, 2017, the committee began its study of the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

WITNESSES:

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

Brian Pagan, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Management Sector;

Marcia Santiago, Executive Director, Expenditure Management Sector;

Renée LaFontaine, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Sector.

Mr. Pagan made a statement and, together with Ms. Santiago and Ms. LaFontaine, answered questions.

At 10:44 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:47 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.

It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to remain in the room for the in camera portion of today's meeting.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, the committee continued its study on the Minister of Finance's proposed changes to the Income Tax Act respecting the taxation of private corporations and the tax planning strategies involved. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 39.)

At 11:31 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee