Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 27 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 10, 1999
(31)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 5:30 p.m. this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Stratton, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Carstairs, Cook, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Fraser, Lynch-Staunton, Mahovlich, Robichaud, P.C. (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Stratton and Tkachuk (11).

In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 10, 1999, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-43, to establish the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and to amend and repeal other Acts as a consequence.

WITNESSES:

From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business:

Garth Whyte, Vice-President;

Brien Gray, Senior Vice-President, Policy and Provincial Affairs.

From the Canadian Importers Association Inc.:

Bob Armstrong, President.

It was agreed -- That the photographer from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business be permitted to take pictures of the meeting for their newsletter and Internet site.

Messrs Whyte and Gray made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Armstrong made a statement and answered questions.

The committee considered its future business.

At 7:05 p.m., the committee recessed.

At 7:30 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 10, 1999, the committee began its examination of the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

WITNESSES:

From the Treasury Board Secretariat:

Mr. Rick Neville, Assistant Secretary, Expenditure Analysis and Operations Sector;

Mr. Andrew Lieff, Director, Expenditure Operations Division.

Mr. Neville made an opening statement and, with Mr. Lieff, answered questions.

The committee considered its future business.

Senator Cools moved -- That the committee complete its consideration of Supplementary Estimates (C) and that the committee report to the Senate by Tuesday, March 16, 1999.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Senator Cools moved -- That the committee complete its consideration of Bill C-43 and that the committee report to the Senate by or on Thursday, March 18, 1999.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on division.

At 9:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Denis Robert

Clerk of the Committe