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

Issue No. 25 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 30, 2017

OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 30, 2017
(56)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 2:15 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cormier, Dean, Eggleton, P.C., Frum, Griffin, Mégie, Ogilvie, Petitclerc, Raine, Seidman, Stewart Olsen and Woo (12).

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, May 8, 2017, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 5, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 16 of Part 4 of Bill C-44, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 22, 2017 and other measures. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 24.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Mental Health Association:

Patrick Smith, National Chief Executive Officer.

Canadian Home Care Association:

Dale Clement, Board Member.

Health Canada:

Jocelyne Voisin, Executive Director, Health Accord Secretariat, Assistant Deputy Minister's Office, Strategic Policy Branch;

Marcel Saulnier, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Strategic Policy Branch.

Department of Finance Canada:

Omar Rajabali, Chief, Canada Health Transfer (CHT), the Canada Social Transfer (CST) and Northern Policy, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Clement each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Voisin made a statement and, together with Mr. Saulnier and Mr. Rajabali, answered questions.

At 3:33 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:35 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the commitee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

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

It was agreed that the committee recommend the approval of Division 9 of Bill C-44, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 22, 2017 and other measures.

The committee provided drafting instructions to the analyst.

It was agreed that the steering committee approve the final version of the text relating to Division 9 of Bill C-44, taking into account today's discussion.

At 3:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee