Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 24 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 22, 2001
(26)
[English]
The Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and commerce met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Kolber, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Callbeck, Fitzpatrick, Furey, Gustafson, Kolber, Kroft, Mahovlich, Setlakwe and Tkachuk (10).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament, Economic Division: Mr. Alexandre Laurin, Research Officer.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 20, 2001, the Committee continued its examination of Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Export Development Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
WITNESSES:
On Bill C-31:
From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:
Martin H. Jensen, Export Finance Officer, Export Financing Division;
David Allan Harris, Counsel, Justice Legal Services, Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Department of Justice.
From the Export Development Corporation (EDC):
Gilles Ross, Senior Vice-President, Legal Services, and Secretary.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 20, 2001, the Committee resumed its examination into the present state of the domestic and international financial system and in particular its study on Canada-United States Borders Issues. (See Issue No. 6, March 28, 2001, for full text of the Order of Reference.)
WITNESSES:
On Canada-United States Border Issues:
From the Conference Board of Canada:
Gilles Rheaume, Vice-President;
Andrew Shea, Policy analyst.
From the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters:
The Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO;
Mark Boudreau, Senior Director, Policy and Research.
Mr. Jensen, Mr. Ross and with the assistance of Mr. Harris answered questions.
After debate,
It was agreed, - That the committee proceed with clause by clause consideration of Bill C-31.
It was agreed, - That the title stand postponed.
It was agreed, - That clauses 1 to 8 carry.
Senator Tkachuk moved, - That Bill C-31 be amended in clause 9, on page 3, by replacing line 31 with the following:
"(3) The directive is a statutory instrument"
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was - Resolved in the negative.
It was agreed, - That clause 9 carry, on division
It was agreed, - That clauses 10 and 11 carry.
Senator Angus moved, - That Bill C-31 be amended in clause 12, on page 5, by deleting lines 9 to 22.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was - Resolved in the negative.
It was agreed, - That clause 12 carry, on division
It was agreed, - That clauses 13 to 32 carry.
It was agreed, - That the title carry.
It was agreed, - That the Bill carry.
After debate,
It was agreed, - That minority observations be appended to the report on Bill C-31. That they be sent to the Chair for approval no later than Monday, November 26, 2001.
Mr. Rheaume and Mr. Shea from the Conference Board of Canada and Mr. Beatty from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters made statements and with the assistance of Mr. Boudreau answered questions.
At 1:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the Committee