Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 23, 2002
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 5:30 p.m. this day, in room 256-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators De Bané, P.C., Fitzpatrick, Fraser, Kelleher, P.C., Kolber, Prud'homme, P.C., Robichaud, P.C., Setlakwe and Tkachuk (9).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Ms June Dewetering, Acting Principal and Mr. Alexandre Laurin, Research Officer, Economic Division and Mr. Gérald M. Lafrenière, Researcher, Law and Government Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved — That the Honourable Senator Kolber be Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Setlakwe moved — That the Honourable Senator Tkachuk be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following division:
YEAS: The Honourable Senators De Bané, P.C., Fraser, Kolber, Prud'homme, P.C., Robichaud, P.C., and Setlakwe — 6
NAYS: None — 0
ABSTENTION: The Honourable Senator Tkachuk — 1
The Honourable Senator Setlakwe moved —
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and other member of the Committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved —
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Fitzpatrick moved — That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition is present.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved — That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chair 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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved —
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee;
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;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, directs 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.
The Honourable Senator Fitzpatrick moved —
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; 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 Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Setlakwe moved — That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kelleher, P.C. moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) 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
2) 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C. moved — That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses' expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator De Bané, P.C. moved —
That the Chair 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 committee considered its future business.
The Honourable Senator Setlakwe moved — That, in relation to possible legislation that may be referred to the committee and in accordance with the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees, the committee authorize the Chair to seek authorization to incur expenses not exceeding $10,000.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Setlakwe moved — That, in relation to the committee's special study of the present state of the domestic and international financial system and in accordance with the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees, the committee authorize the Chair to seek authorization to incur expenses not exceeding $10,000.
The question being put on the motion, it was — Resolved in the affirmative.
At 6 p.m., the committee continued its deliberations in camera.
At 6:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 24, 2002
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met at 11:00 a.m. this day, in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Kolber, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Fitzpatrick, Fraser, Kelleher, P.C., Kolber, Lynch- Staunton, Meighen, Prud'homme, P.C., Setlakwe, Sparrow, Stollery and Tkachuk (11).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Ms June Dewetering, Acting Principal, Economic Division and Mr. Gérald M. Lafrenière, Researcher, Law and Government Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, the Committee began its examination of Bill S-2, An Act to implement an agreement, conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Kuwait, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Moldova, Norway, Belgium and Italy for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion and to amend the enacted text of three tax treaties.
APPEARING:
Mr. Bryon Wilfert, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Finance:
Mr. Brian J. Ernewein, Director, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch;
Mr. David Sénécal, Acting Chief, Tax Treaties, Tax Legislation Division.
From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:
Mr. Andrian Norfolk, Deputy Director, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, International Women's Equality Division.
Mr. Wilfert made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
It was agreed, — That the committee proceed with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-2.
It was agreed, — That the title stand postponed.
It was agreed, — That clause 1, the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed, — That Part 1, clause 2 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 2, clause 3 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 3, clause 4 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 4, clause 5 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 5, clauses 6 to 7 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 6, clause 8 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 7, clause 9 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 8, clause 10 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 9, clause 11 carry.
It was agreed, — That Part 10, clause 12 carry.
It was agreed, — That Schedules 1 to 7 carry.
It was agreed, — That clause 1, the short title, carry.
It was agreed, — That the title carry.
It was agreed, — That the Bill carry.
It was agreed, — That Bill S-2 be reported to the Senate.
At 12:05 p.m., the committee recessed.
At 12:35 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, the committee began its examination into the present state of the domestic and international financial system with particular emphasis on the Canadian perspective to the Enron collapse.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions).
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Finance:
Mr. Bob Hamilton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Policy Branch;
Mr. Charles Seeto, Director, Financial Sector Division, Financial Sector Policy Branch.
The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 1:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the Committee