Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
2nd Session, 39th Parliament,
Volume 144, Issue 66
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
- ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
THE SENATE
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair.
Prayers.
Business of the Senate
Hon. Gerald J. Comeau (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, yesterday I explained that the Senate chamber was to be preoccupied with the study of Bill C-50, the Budget Implementation Act. As such, the daily routine of business would be abbreviated.
However, due to events in the other place, this will no longer be the case as the bill will not arrive until next week. In keeping with the original intent of this being committee week, later today I will move a motion that would see the Senate chamber adjourn today, until next week. The motion will still allow committees to meet. This will enable senators to continue the good work they do in committees and elsewhere that contributes greatly to the overall policy of the country. The Senate is much more than the work that goes on in this chamber. Committee work goes on even when this chamber is not sitting.
I invite all Canadians, particularly those in the gallery who may have been waiting for an exciting day in the chamber today, to attend our committees and see the great work that senators do there.
I know that all senators will continue the fine work they do at committees for the rest of the week.
[Translation]
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Canada Marine Act
Canada Transportation Act
Pilotage Act
Bill to Amend—Report of Committee
Hon. Lise Bacon, Chair of the Standing Senate committee on Transport and Communications, presented the following report:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the honour to present its
SIXTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-23, An Act to amend the Canada Marine Act, the Canada Transportation Act, the Pilotage Act and other Acts in consequence has, in obedience to the Order of Reference of Thursday, May 15, 2008, examined the said Bill and now reports the same without amendment.
Respectfully submitted,
LISE BACON
Chair
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the third time?
On motion of Senator Bacon, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.
[English]
Scrutiny of Regulations
Third Report of Joint Committee Tabled
Hon. J. Trevor Eyton: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations which deals with the Species at Risk Act.
(1335)
[Translation]
The Estimates, 2008-09
Second Interim Report of National Finance Committee on Main Estimates Presented
Hon. Joseph A. Day, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented the following report:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance has the honour to present its
FIFTEENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which were referred the 2008-2009 Estimates has, in obedience to the Order of Reference of February 28, 2008, examined the said estimates and herewith present its second interim report.
The 2008-2009 Estimates were tabled in the Senate on February 28, 2008, and subsequently referred for review to the National Finance Committee. As is customary with this committee, several meeting dates were set aside for the review of the Estimates. The committee's initial examination began on March 4, 2008. Officials of the Treasury Board Secretariat outlined and explained the main features of this year's Main Estimates and answered several questions at that time and through written responses at a later date. The particulars of the Interim Supply Bill were made available for the committee's consideration before the end of March and an interim report (the committee's Eighth Report) was submitted to the Senate in March 2008. Since that date, the committee has continued its examination of the Estimates documents. In all eight hearings were held.
On April 29, 2008, the committee began a series of four meetings to examine in greater detail the spending plans of the federal government. At these meetings the committee heard evidence relating to the positions and officers created by the Federal Accountability Act. Numerous officials from government departments, agencies and the Library of Parliament appeared to explain the steps taken to establish the new positions and offices created by the act. At one meeting, the Honourable Michael Fortier explained the mandate and expected role of the Procurement Ombudsman. The committee submitted a Report on the Officers and Agents of Parliament Created or Modified by the Federal Accountability Act in May 2008.
Four other meetings were dedicated to the examination of federal infrastructure initiatives. Officials from government departments including: Infrastructure Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Québec, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Industry Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and representatives of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities testified before the Committee. The findings of the committee are contained in its Report on Infrastructure Programs and Regional Development Agencies date June 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. DAY
Chair
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this report be taken into consideration?
On motion of Senator Day, report placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.
[English]
Scrutiny of Regulations
Fourth Report of Joint Committee Tabled
Hon. J. Trevor Eyton: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations which deals with the Indian Act.
[Translation]
National Finance
Notice of Motion Authorizing Committee to Meet During Sittings of the Senate
Hon. Gerald J. Comeau (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance have power to sit from Monday, June 9, 2008 to Friday, June 13, 2008, even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that the application of rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.
Adjournment
Hon. Gerald J. Comeau (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 58(1)(h), I move:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at 2 p.m.; and
That the provisions of rule 95(2) be suspended during this adjournment period.
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, is leave granted?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Motion agreed to.
Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
Canadian-American Days, March 25-30, 2008—Report Tabled
Hon. Jerahmiel S. Grafstein: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation in the Canadian-American Days, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States of America, from March 25 to 30, 2008.
(1340)
Statutes Repeal Bill
Message from Commons
The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons returning Bill S-207, An Act to repeal legislation that has not come into force within ten years of receiving royal assent, and acquainting the Senate that they have passed the bill without amendment.
The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at 2 p.m.