Proceedings of the Subcommittee on
Communications
Standing
Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 2, 1996
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 1:19 p.m. this day for the purpose of organization.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Maheu, Poulin, Roux and Spivak. (4)
In attendance: Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The subcommittee proceeded to organize pursuant to the resolution of the committee adopted on April 23, 1996.
The Clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that the Honourable Senator Poulin be Chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux moved that the Honourable Senator Spivak be Deputy Chair of this Subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Maheu moved that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and one other member of the subcommittee to be designated from time to time after the usual consultations; and
That the subcommittee be authorized to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that the Subcommittee print 200 copies of its proceedings and that the Chair be authorized to adjust this number from time to time to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux moved that, pursuant to Rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of evidence when a quorum is not present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that the Chair be authorized to direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Maheu moved that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses' expenses, the subcommittee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses to no more than two witnesses from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee meet on Wednesday.
At 1:34 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 20, 1996
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 9:03 a.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Marie-P. Poulin, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Johnson, Poulin, Roux and Spivak. (4)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Forrestall.
In attendance: Terrence J. Thomas, Research Officer, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
The subcommittee proceeded to consider future business with respect to its study of communications as agreed to by the Senate on May 1, 1996 and the committee on May 2, 1996.
It was agreed, -- That the document entitled "Proposed Work Plan" be filed with the Clerk of the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "1".
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that background documents be assembled respecting the communications study.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved that witnesses be invited from the government departments most concerned by the communications study.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Roux moved that culture constitute a distinct subject of study and that the implications for culture be clearly specified throughout the overall study.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, -- That technical papers be commissioned from time to time as required.
It was agreed, -- That the study be subdivided into the following areas of consideration: technical, human, cultural and commercial.
It was agreed, -- That a final decision on meetings in Washington, D.C., be deferred.
It was agreed, -- That representatives from the Canadian Radio-television and telecommunications Commission be invited to appear.
It was agreed, -- That the evidence received by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on the study of competition in telecommunications be analyzed and summarized.
It was agreed, -- That the subcommittee normally meet on Wednesdays at 3:15 p.m.
The Honourable Senator Johnson moved that the subcommittee recommend that the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications host the delegation from the United Kingdom PITCOM group as proposed in the documents from Frank Richardson, Executive Secretary to PITCOM.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed, -- That the documents from Frank Richardson, Executive Secretary to the PITCOM group from the United Kingdom be filed with the Clerk of the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "2".
At 9:52 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 2, 1996
(3)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 3:53 p.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Marie-P. Poulin, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Forrestall, Mercier, Poulin and Rompkey. (4)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Watt.
In attendance: Terrence J. Thomas, Research Officer, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Matthew W. Fraser, Expert Consultant; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
The subcommittee proceeded to consider future business with respect to its study of communications as agreed to by the Senate on May 1, 1996 and the Committee on May 2, 1996.
The Honourable Senator Forrestall moved that the Proposed Work Plan be approved as presented, subject to changes which may be required from time to time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:48 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 23, 1996
(4)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met, in camera, at 4:10 p.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Marie-P. Poulin, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Johnson, Poulin, Rompkey and Spivak. (4)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators MacDonald (Halifax) and Watt.
In attendance: Terrence J. Thomas, Research Officer, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Matthew W. Fraser, Expert Consultant; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Canadian Heritage:
Victor Rabinovitch, Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Development;
Jean Guérette, Director, Distribution Systems and Multimedia;
John Foote, Senior Policy Analyst, Arts Development and Programs.
From the Department of Industry:
Larry Shaw, Director General, Telecommunications Policy Branch;
Hélène Asselin, Analyst.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:
Robin Higham, Director General, International Cultural Relations Bureau;
Valerie Raymond, Director, Arts and Cultural Industries Division;
Brian Long, Director, International Academic Relations Division;
Robert Collette, Director, Investment, Science and Technology and Partnering Division;
Richard Lepage, Deputy Director, Corporate Partnering;
André Ronish, Manager, Technology Acquisition Program.
The subcommittee proceeded to consider Canada's international competitive position in communications as authorized by the Senate on May 1, 1996 and the committee on May 2, 1996.
The witnesses from the Department of Canadian Heritage made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by the Department of Canadian Heritage be filed with the Clerk of the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "4".
At 5:15 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 5:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The witnesses from the Department of Industry made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by the Department of Industry be filed with the Clerk of the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "5".
At 6:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 6:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The witnesses from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:40 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 30, 1996
(5)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met at 3:32 p.m. this day, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Marie-P. Poulin, presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Johnson, Mercier, and Poulin. (3)
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Forestall, Perrault and Watt.
In attendance: Terrence J. Thomas, Research Officer, Economics Division, Research Branch, Library of Parliament; Matthew W. Fraser, Expert Consultant; Michel Patrice, Legislative Clerk, Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The officials reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From Teleglobe Canada Inc:
Guthrie Stewart, President and CEO;
Claude E. Forget, Special advisor to the Chairman of the board;
Mariel Bradford, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs.
From the Canadian Cable Television Association:
Richard Stursberg, President;
Dave Watt, Senior Vice-President, Technology, Economics and Telecom;
Jay Thompson, Vice-President, Legal/Regulatory Affairs.
The subcommittee resumed consideration of its study on Canada's international competitive position in communications as authorized by the Senate on May 1, 1996 and the committee on May 2, 1996.
The witnesses from Teleglobe Canada Inc made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by Teleglobe Canada Inc be filed with the Clerk of the subcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "6".
At 4:40 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 4:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The witnesses from the Canadian Cable Television Association made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, -- That the presentation by the Canadian Cable Television Association be filed with the Clerk of the aubcommittee as Exhibit 6050 - 2.35 / C1, "7".
At 5:15 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Timothy Ross Wilson
Clerk of the subcommittee