Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 18, 1999
(1)
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 10:10 a.m. this day, in Room 256-S, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Cools, Ferretti Barth, Mahovlich, Murray, c.p. and Stratton (6).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
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 Murray be Chairman of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Bolduc, -- That the Honourable Senator Cools be Deputy Chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools, -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chair and Senator Marisa Ferretti Barth; That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, 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 -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich, -- That the committee print 250 copies of its proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth, -- That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Stratton, -- That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth, -- That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee; That the Chairman 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; That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedures be authorized to retain services of such experts as may be required by the work of the Committee; and That the Chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth, -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chair; and That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chairman, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich, -- That the committee empower the steering committee to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee; and That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to: determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
After debate, and by unanimous agreement, Senator Mahovlich withdrew the motion. It will be discussed in an upcoming meeting.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth, -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chairman be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools, -- That the clerk be authorized, in consultation with the Chairman, to order food, et cetera (juice, coffee, water...), whenever a committee meeting is scheduled to extend into or over a meal period.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Cools, -- That the Chairman be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was -- resolved in the affirmative.
The Chair informed the members that the time slot for regular meetings are Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday afternoons at 5:45 p.m., and that meetings will be held in Room 705 of the Victoria Building.
The committee considered future business.
At 10:49 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Luc Bégin
Clerk of the Committee