Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 5, 2004
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 10:52 a.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Corbin, Day, Fraser, Graham, P.C., Gustafson, Johnson, Phalen, and Spivak (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Mercer (1).
In attendance: Allison Padova, Terrence Thomas, and Joseph Jackson, Research Officers, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee proceeded to organize pursuant to rule 88.
The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Graham, P.C., moved, that the Honourable Senator Fraser do take the Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser took the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, that the Honourable Senator Gustafson be Deputy Chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Johnson moved:
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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Phalen 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 be present.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
After debate, it was agreed, that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104, and that the Chair be authorized to make changes to reflect comments made in Committee.
The Honourable Senator Day 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, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Graham, P.C., 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Graham, 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Adams moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Day 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 adopted.
The committee considered its business.
At 11:25 a.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), proceeded in camera to consider its agenda.
At 11:37 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 10, 2004
(2)
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day, in camera, at 9:35 a.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Andreychuk, Beaudoin, Corbin, Fraser, Graham, P.C., Phalen, and Spivak (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Merchant (1).
In attendance: Joseph Jackson and Terrence Thomas, Research Officers, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda.
At 10:16 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 17, 2004
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 9:35 a.m., in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Callbeck, Corbin, Fraser, Graham, P.C., Johnson, LaPierre, and Merchant (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Carney, P.C. (1).
In attendance: Allison Padova, Joseph Jackson, and Terrence Thomas, Research Officers, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee considered the following draft budget for its legislative work for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004:
Professional and Other Services
$ 4,800
Transportation and Communications
0
All Other Expenditures
500
Total
$ 5,300
After debate, the Honourable Senator LaPierre moved, that the committee adopt the draft budget application for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:40 a.m., pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Friday, February 13, 2004, the committee began its examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
The committee considered the following draft budget for its study of the Canadian media for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004:
Professional and Other Services
$ 25,800
Transportation and Communications
0
All Other Expenditures
1,000
Total
$ 26,800
After debate, the Honourable Senator LaPierre moved, that the committee adopt the draft budget application for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 9:58 a.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
At 10:59 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 26, 2004
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 10:48 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Joan Fraser, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Corbin, Day, Eyton, Fraser, Graham, P.C., Gustafson, Johnson, Merchant, Phalen, and Spivak (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Jaffer, Sibbeston, and Sparrow (3).
In attendance: Joseph Jackson and Terrence Thomas, Research Officers, Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Friday, February 13, 2004, the committee continued its examination of the current state of Canadian media industries.
WITNESSES:
From the Council on American-Islamic Relations Canada:
Ms. Sheema Khan, Chair;
Mr. Riad Saloojee, Executive Director.
As an individual:
Mr. Clifford Lincoln, M.P. for Lac-Saint-Louis
Mr. Saloojee made a presentation and, with Ms. Khan, answered questions.
Mr. Lincoln made a presentation and answered questions.
At 1 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Till Heyde
Clerk of the Committee