Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 10, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 9:32 a.m., this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, for the purpose of organization pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Comeau, Day, Doody, Furey, Gauthier, Murray P.C., Oliver and Ringuette (8).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Mr. Stephen Laurent and Ms. June Dewetering, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88 of the Rules of the Senate, the committee proceeded to hold an organization meeting.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day — That the Honourable Senator Murray do take the Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ringuette — That the Honourable Senator Day be Deputy Chair of this Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Doody — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and one 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 to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gauthier, — 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau — 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 be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ringuette — That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Day — That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff 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, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ringuette — 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Oliver — 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Comeau — 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 adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Furey, — That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gauthier — 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 adopted.
The Chair informed the members of the upcoming work for the committee.
At 9:50 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 18, 2004
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 6:30 p.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Lowell Murray, P.C. presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Comeau, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Gauthier, Murray P.C., Oliver and Ringuette (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Chaput (1).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Mr. Stephen Laurent and Ms. June Dewetering, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Reg Alcock, M.P., P.C., President of the Treasury Board of Canada.
WITNESSES:
From the Treasury Board of Canada:
Ms. Ruth Dantzer, Associate Secretary;
Ms. Mylène Bouzigon, Senior General Counsel, Legal Services Branch.
Sponsor of the Bill:
Mr. Roy Cullen, M.P., Etobicoke North.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on February 11, 2004, the committee commenced its examination of Bill C-212, An Act respecting user fees.
The Honourable Reg Alcock made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed, that Minister Alcock's statement should be appended to the proceedings of this day.
At 6:50 p.m., Mr. Cullen made a statement and, together with Ms. Mylène Bouzigon, answered questions.
At 8:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee