Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 20, 2005
(23)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 6:18 p.m., this day, in room 505, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Biron, Bryden, Cools, Day, Downe, Ferretti Barth, Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Oliver, Ringuette and Stratton (12).
In attendance: Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Chair made a statement.
Senator Murray raised a point of order.
Senator Oliver gave his ruling as follows:
“Honourable senators, I have heard from a number of senators on the point of order. The minister is here. This committee, in the past, has had a practice of trying to accommodate ministers, deputy ministers and other senior officials who come to appear before a committee.
There are several different points raised in the point of order. One is about the notice. There are in fact no specific rules as to the amount of notice that must be given pursuant to rule 92(1). The rule says:
...all meetings of Senate standing and special committees shall be held in public and only after public notice.
There was a notice given first of all for Bill C-30, which we have already started, and at 4:24 this afternoon there was a revised notice that was sent out to honourable senators' offices that the National Finance Committee would meet this evening in room 505 at 6:15 to hear Bill C-30, clause-by-clause consideration, and Bill C-33, a second act to implement certain provisions to the budget tabled in Parliament on March 23, 2004. Insofar as the notice is concerned, it is my opinion that the notice is in accordance with the rules of the Senate.
With respect to the proceedings in the chamber this afternoon, Senator Murray has made his point. Senator Cools has added to his point of order about the procedures. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has given his position with respect to the role that he plays in these matters. My position is that, notwithstanding what has gone on, the committee is here, it has received a notice, the minister is here and I think that we should move to hear the minister.”
It was agreed to hear the minister on Bill C-33 as the first item of business on the agenda.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-33, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 23, 2004.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance.
The Honourable John McKay, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.
WITNESSES:
Department of Finance Canada:
Len Farber, General Director, Assistant Deputy Minister's Office, Tax Policy Branch;
Brian Ernewein, Director, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch;
Geoff Truman, Senior Tax Policy Officer, Sales Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch;
Gérard Lalonde, Senior Chief, Tax Legislation, Tax Policy Branch;
Annie Carrier, Chief, First Nations Taxation Section, Tax Policy Branch.
The Chair made a statement.
Mr. Goodale made a statement and answered questions.
The Chairman thanked the Minsiter for his appearance.
The witnesses answered questions.
The Chair made a statement.
It was agreed that the committee proeceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-30.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry.
It was agreed that clause 17 carry.
It was agreed that clause 18 carry.
It was agreed that clause 19 carry.
It was agreed that clause 20 carry.
It was agreed that clause 21 carry.
It was agreed that clause 22 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill be adopted without amendment, on division.
It was agreed that the Chair report the bill without amendment to the Senate, on division.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 14, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-30, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Salaries Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. (For complete text of the Order of Reference, please see Issue No. 18 of the proceedings of the committee.)
At 8:15 p.m. the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Piccinin
Clerk of the Committee