Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 20, 1996 (1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 5:15 p.m. this day, in Room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Cools, De Bané, Losier-Cool, Poulin, Rizzuto, Stratton, and Tkachuk (7).
Pursuant to Rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chairman.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools that the Honourable Senator Tkachuk be elected Chairman of the Committee.
The question being on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton that the Honourable Senator De Bané be elected Deputy Chairman of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure (Steering Committee) be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member to be designated after the usual consultation;
That the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Committee with respect to its agenda and procedure;
That the Subcommittee be empowered to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and
That the Subcommittee report its decisions to the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Poulin that 480 copies be printed for distribution; and
That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number based on demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It it moved by the Honourable Senator De Bané that, pursuant 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 agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton that, pursuant to Rule 104, the Chair be authorized to report expenses incurred by the Committee in the First Session of the Thirty-fifth Parliament
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool that the Committee retains the services of the Parliamentary Centre to conduct research on behalf of the Committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses and summaries.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton that the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the Committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It was moved that, pursuant to section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds, be conferred on the Chair or in his absence, the Deputy Chair; and
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools that, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and guideline paragraph 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the Committee be conferred on the Chair or the Deputy Chair or delegated to the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
It is moved by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool that, pursuant to the Senate Guidelines for witnesses expenses, the Committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for 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 agreed.
At 5:35 p.m., the Committee proceed in camera with it future business.
At 6:15 p.m., the Committee adjourn to the call of the Chair
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 21, 1996 (2)
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 11:15 a.m. this day, in Room 256-S, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator David Tkachuk, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Tkachuk, Cools, De Bané, Losier-Cool, Pearson, Poulin and Stratton (7).
In attendance from the Parliamentary Centre: Dr. Edward J.D. Ketchum, Director of Research.
Also in attendance: The Official Reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Treasury Board of Canada:
David Miller, Assistant Secretary, Program Branch;
Norm Everest, Senior Estimates Advisor, Program Branch.
From Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
Howard Migie, Director General, Adaptation and Grain Policy Directorate, Policy Branch;
Robert P. Caron, Senior Corporate Financial Planning Advisor.
From the Department of Justice:
John H. Sims, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Citizenship and Immigration Legal Services;
Ajit S. Mehat, Director General, Programs Directorate.
Pursuant to its Orders of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 20, 1996, the Committee examined the Supplementary Estimates (B) laid before Parliament for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.
Mr. Miller made an opening statement and, with Messrs. Migie, Caron, Sims, Mehat and Everett, answered questions.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools that the report of the committee on Supplementary Estimates (B), be presented by the Chair to the Senate.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At a later date, the Department of Justice and Treasury Board will provide written responses to questions ask by the Honourable Senators Cools, De Bané and Tkachuk.
At 12:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
John Desmarais
Clerk of the Committee