Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and
Commerce
Issue 20 - Minutes of Proceedings
SAINT JOHN (New Brunswick), Monday, March 3, 1997
(38)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 1:05 p.m. in the Loyalist Room, the Saint John Hilton, Saint John (N.B), the Chairman, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Buchanan, P.C., Comeau, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Kirby, Losier-Cool, Oliver, Rompkey, P.C. and Simard. (9)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Robertson.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament, Mr. Gerald Goldstein, Director, Economics Division and Mr. Richard Domingue, Research Officer, Economics Division.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, P.C., Leader of the Opposition, Province of New Brunswick.
Ms Elizabeth Weir, Member of New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for St. John Harbour and Leader of the New Democratic Party.
From Mark's Work Warehouse:
Mr. Dunstan Carroll, Franchise Owner.
From the Canadian Direct Marketing Association:
Mr. John Gustavson, President and Chief Executive Officer.
From the New Brunswick Home Builders Association:
Mr. Jacques Leblanc, President; and
Mr. Bob McLaughlin, President, Canadian Home Builders Association.
From the New Brunswick Real Estate Association:
Mr. Don Jenkins, President.
From the New Brunswick Manufactured Homes and Parks Association:
Mr. Gerald Disher, President.
From the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation Inc.:
Mr. Stephen Boyce, Executive Director.
From the National Anti-Poverty Organization:
Ms Pamela Coates, President.
From One Voice for All:
Ms Edna Doiron, Member.
From Romero House:
Ms Carolyn McNulty, Executive Director and Foundress.
From the New Brunswick Home Support Association:
Ms Sharon O'Brien, President.
From Comcare Canada Ltd:
Ms Shirley Clayton, Local Administrator.
From the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick:
Mr. John Slipp, President.
Dr. Evan Pugh, Family Physician.
Walk-ons:
Mr. Gerry Hudson.
Ms Hazel Y. Alexander.
Mr. Stanley J. Devine.
Ms Theresa Louis.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 20, 1997, the committee had before it Bill C-70, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the Income Tax Act, the Debt Servicing and Reduction Account Act and related Acts.
The witnesses, in turn, made opening statements and then answered questions.
At the end of the meeting, individual members of the public who had not been scheduled were allowed to "walk-on" and make a brief statement before the committee.
At 5:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
SAINT JOHN (New Brunswick), Tuesday, March 4, 1997
(39)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 9:05 a.m. in the Loyalist Room, the Saint John Hilton, Saint John (N.B), the Chairman, the Honourable Michael Kirby, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Buchanan, P.C., Comeau, Hervieux-Payette, P.C., Kirby, Losier-Cool, Oliver, Rompkey, P.C. and Simard. (9)
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament, Mr. Gerald Goldstein, Director, Economics Division and Mr. Richard Domingue, Research Officer, Economics Division.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the New Brunswick Economic Council Inc.:
Ms Anne Bertrand, President.
From the New Brunswick Medical Society:
Dr. Tony Wade, President;
Dr. Doug Brien, Treasurer;
Mr. David H. Balmain, Executive Director; and
Ms Janet Maston, Assistant Executive Director.
From the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce:
Mr. Jeff Kelly, Director.
From the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce:
Mr. David Neal, President Elect;
Mr. Stuart Blair, Executive Member; and
Mr. Ted Mangnall, Member.
From the Saint John Board of Trade:
Mr. Thomas J. Gribbons, First Vice-President;
Mr. Bob McVicar, Chairman, Retail Task Force;
Mr. Gerald O'Brien, Chairman GST/PST Task Force; and
Mr. Gary Smith, Member.
From the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce:
Mr. Paul J. Daigle, President and Chief Executive Officer.
From the New Brunswick Automobile Dealers Association:
Mr. Tony Bastow, President.
From the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC):
Mr. David Amirault, Economist.
From the House of Commons:
Ms Elsie Wayne, M.P., Saint John (N.B.)
From the Government of New Brunswick:
The Honourable Edmond Blanchard, The Minister of Finance;
Mr. John Mallory, Deputy Minister; and
Mr. Norm Campbell, Assistant Deputy Minister (Taxation).
Walk-ons:
Mr. Ken Steves, Taxi Association of Saint John.
Mr. J. Marc Lefebvre, Ganong Bros. Ltd.
Mr. John McCarthy, President, City of Saint John Retirees' Association.
Ms Nancy Hoyt.
Mr. Carl Morgan.
Mr. Ray d'Entremont, President, HUGGA Guitar Ltd.
Mr. Gilles Bernier.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 20, 1997, the committee had before it Bill C-70, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the Income Tax Act, the Debt Servicing and Reduction Account Act and related Acts.
The witnesses, in turn, made opening statements and then answered questions. At the end of the meeting, individual members of the public who had not been scheduled were allowed to "walk-on" and make a brief statement before the committee. Mr. Joe Parisien made his views known in a short written statement.
At 1:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Paul Benoit
Clerk of the Committee