Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Banking, Trade and Commerce
Issue 20 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 14, 2003
(31)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 4:05 p.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Acting Chair, the Honourable Richard H. Kroft, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Angus, Fitzpatrick, Kelleher, P.C., Kroft, Merchant, Moore, Oliver and Prud'homme, P.C. (8).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mr. Marc-André Pigeon, Researcher, Economic Division.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, the Committee continued its examination on the administration and operation of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
WITNESSES:
From the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations:
Mr. Rob South, Government Relations Officer.
From the Canadian Federation of Students:
Mr. Michael Conlon, Director of Research.
From Advocis:
Mr. Steve Howard, CA, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Mr. Edward Rothberg, General Counsel.
From the Consumers' Union:
Ms. Hélène Talbot, Budget Consultant, ACEF-North of Montreal;
Mr. Luc Rochefort, Analyst, Policy and legislation in personal budgeting, credit and debts.
From Omega-One Ltd.:
Mr. Bob Gilmour, Manager, Asset Recovery, Sears Canada Inc.;
Mr. John D. Owen, Principal.
From A.C. Poirier & Associates:
Mr. Paul A. Stehelin, Trustee in Bankruptcy.
As an individual:
Ms. Viola Doucet.
The Clerk of the Committee informed the Honourable Senators of the unavoidable absence of the Chair and Deputy Chair and consequently, proceeded, pursuant to rule 85(1)(a) to the election of an Acting Chair.
The Clerk presided over the election of the Acting Chair.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved, — That the Honourable Senator Kroft be Acting Chair for today's committee meeting.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
Mr. Conlon and Mr. South made statements and answered questions.
Mr. Howard and Mr. Rothberg from Advocis made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Rochefort from the Consumers' Union made a statement and with Ms. Talbot answered questions.
Mr. Owen from Omega-One Ltd. Made a statement and with Mr. Gilmour answered questions.
Mr. Stehelin from A.C. Poirier & Associates and Ms. Doucet made statements and answered questions.
At 7:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 15, 2003
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce met this day at 11:05 a.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Kolber, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Fitzpatrick, Kelleher, P.C., Kolber, Kroft, Moore and Setlakwe (7).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Ms. June Dewetering, Acting Principal, Economic Division and Mr. Yoine Goldstein, Counsel to the Committee.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, the Committee continued its examination on the administration and operation of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
WITNESSES:
From the Workers' Compensation Boards:
Mr. John Solomon, Chair, Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board;
Mr. Jim Lee, Chair, P.E.I. Workers' Compensation Board;
Mr. Douglas Mah, General Counsel, Alberta Workers' Compensation Board;
Mr. Maurice Cloutier, General Counsel, Quebec Commission of Occupational and Health and Safety.
From the Writers' Union of Canada:
Mr. Marian Dingman Hebb, Counsel;
Ms. Deborah Windsor, Executive Director.
Mr. Lee, Mr. Solomon and Mr. Mah made a statement and with the other witness answered questions.
Ms. Windsor and Ms. Hebb from the Writers Union of Canada made a statement and answered questions.
At 1:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the Committee