Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 23, 2005
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 6:33 p.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Cools, Day, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Harb, Murray, P.C., Oliver, Ringuette and Stollery (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Massicotte (1).

In attendance: Guy Beaumier and Odette Madore, Research Officers, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (fiscal equalization payments to the provinces and funding to the territories).

APPEARING:

Office of the Minister of Finance:

John McKay, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

WITNESSES:

Department of Finance Canada:

François Delorme, Director, Federal-Provincial Relations Division;

Sean Keenan, Chief, Equalization and Policy Development, Federal-Provincial Relations Division;

Clare Scullion, Senior General Counsel, Law Branch.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. McKay made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 8:09 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Piccinin

Clerk of the Committee