Journals of the Senate
47 Elizabeth II, A.D. 1998, Canada
Journals of the Senate
Issue 81
Wednesday, September 30, 1998
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Gildas L. Molgat, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Balfour, Beaudoin, Berntson, Bryden, Buchanan, Butts, Callbeck, Carney, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, DeWare, Di Nino, Doody, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Gauthier, Gill, Graham, Grimard, Gustafson, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Johnson, Johnstone, Joyal, Kelleher, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Lavoie-Roux, Lawson, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lucier, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Mahovlich, Maloney, Meighen, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Perrault, Poulin, Poy, Rivest, Robertson, Robichaud, (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud, (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Roche, Rompkey, Ruck, St. Germain, Simard, Sparrow, Stewart, Stratton, Tkachuk, Watt, Whelan, WilsonThe Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Balfour, Beaudoin, Berntson, Bryden, Buchanan, Butts, Callbeck, Carney, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, DeWare, Di Nino, Doody, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Gauthier, Gill, Graham, Grimard, Gustafson, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Johnson, Johnstone, Joyal, Kelleher, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Lavoie-Roux, Lawson, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lucier, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Mahovlich, Maloney, Meighen, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Perrault, Poulin, Poy, Rivest, Robertson, Robichaud, (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud, (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Roche, Rompkey, Ruck, St. Germain, Simard, Sparrow, Stewart, Stratton, Tkachuk, Watt, Whelan, Wilson
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A Message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-3, An Act respecting DNA identification and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Code and other Acts, to which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.The Bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., that the Bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading on Tuesday next, October 6, 1998.The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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With leave, The Senate reverted to Presentation of Reports From Standing or Special Committees.The Honourable Senator Nolin, for the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., presented the following:
WEDNESDAY, September 30, 1998The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
TWENTY-FIFTH REPORT
Your Committee recommends the adoption of Supplementary Estimates of $3,261,200 for the fiscal year 1998-99. Since the Senate had a carry-forward balance of $1,273,000 from 1997-98, the new funding requirements in the Supplementary Estimates is $1,988,200.This Supplementary Estimate is required to meet operational shortfalls in Committees; to provide for salary increase resulting from signed collective agreements; and to provide funds for projects which were not anticipated at the time of the Main Estimates.
A significant part of the Senate's role is to carry out in depth studies by its committees of issues which are important to Canadians. This year's studies have included an examination of the Canadian financial system, issues relating to the harvest of the Boreal Forest, the state of transportation safety, issues relating to custody and access arrangements after separation, Aboriginal self-government and security and intelligence questions. It is the established practice of both Houses of Parliament to fund special studies, special committees and joint committees from Supplementary Estimates. The total amount sought for committees is $1,200,000.The Supplementary Estimates also covers funds to provide greater public access to the work of Senators, including funds to implement an agreement with the House of Commons to provide technical and production crews for broadcasting Senate Committees, and to purchase the relevant equipment. The funds required for broadcasting and communications is $463,000.
Supplementary funds amounting to $230,000 are also required to ensure the continued usefulness of Committee rooms and to allow access to interpretation systems for public seating in compliance with the Official Languages Act.Funds totalling $58,200 are also required to cover the cost of two Parliamentary Associations over and above those funded through the Main Estimates and which were recommended by the Joint Senate - Houses of Commons Interparliamentary Council.
The remaining $1,310,000 of the requested Supplementary Estimates covers upgrades to information technology to keep the Senate compatible with the parliamentary internet system, as well as funds for additional research expenses and tenant services not expected when the Main Estimates were prepared 12 to 18 months in advance.Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM ROMPKEY
Chair
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., that the Report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Second reading of Bill C-20, An Act to amend the Competition Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.The Honourable Senator Callbeck moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poy, that the Bill be read the second time.
After debate, The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator DeWare, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.Private Bills
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting._______________________________________
Ordered, That Order No. 1 under Senate Public Bills, set down on the Orders of the Day for Tuesday, October 6, 1998, be brought forward.
Second reading of Bill S-19, An Act to give further recognition to the war-time service of Canadian merchant navy veterans and to provide for their fair and equitable treatment.The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Atkins, that the Bill be read the second time.
After debate, The Honourable Senator Perrault, P.C. moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.Other
Orders No. 45, 1 (motions), 39, 35, 15, 27, 23, 32, 34 and 37 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report on Commercial Vehicle Safety in Canada for the year 1997, pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, 1987, R.S.C. 1985, c. 29 (3rd Supp.), sbs. 35(1).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-788.Report on the administration of the Canada Petroleum Resources Act for the year 1997, pursuant t the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.), s. 109. -Sessional Paper No. 1/36-789.
Copy of Order in Council P.C. 1998-1597 dated September 15, 1998, together with the supplementary agreement intended to amend the Convention between Canada and the Republic of Indonesia for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, signed on April 1, 1998, pursuant to the Act to implement conventions between Canada and Spain, Canada and the Republic of Austria, Canada and Italy, Canada and the Republic of Korea, Canada and the Socialist Republic of Romania and Canada and the Republic of Indonesia and agreements between Canada and Malaysia, Canada and Jamaica and Canada and Barbados and a convention between Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to income tax, S.C. 1980-81-82-83, c. 44, sbs. 33(1).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-790.Report on Loans to Immigrants for 1997-98, pursuant to the Immigration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-2, sbs. 119(4).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-791.
Report on the operations of the Small Business Loans Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, pursuant to the Small Business Loans Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-11, s. 11.-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-792.Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons (Volume 2-September 1998), pursuant to the Act to amend the Auditor General Act (reports), S.C. 1994, c. 32, s. 2. -Sessional Paper No. 1/36-793.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Perrault, P.C.:That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted._______________________________________
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional AffairsThe name of the Honourable Senator Lewis removed from the membership (September 30).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and TechnologyThe name of the Honourable Senator Poy substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Cook (September 30).