Proceedings of the Subcommittee on Cities
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 21, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Cities of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 4:51 p.m., this day, in room 705 of the Victoria Building, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Cook, Eggleton, P.C., Munson, Nancy Ruth and Trenholme Counsell (6).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cochrane, Keon and Pépin (3).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Howard Chodos and Tim Riordan Raaflaub, Research Analysts, Political and Social Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The subcommittee proceeded to organize, pursuant to rule 88.
The clerk of the subcommittee presided over the election of the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Munson that the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., be chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., took the chair.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth that the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., be deputy chair of this subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., that the Chair and Deputy Chair be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the subcommittee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The questions being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth that the subcommittee 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 Munson 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 subcommittee 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 Trenholme Counsell that the subcommittee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the subcommittee;
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 Subcommittee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills, and estimates as are referred to it;
That the subcommittee 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 subcommittee, 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 Champagne, P.C., 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 subcommittee; 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 subcommittee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the clerk of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth that the subcommittee empower the Chair and Deputy Chair, as required, one or more members of the subcommittee and/or such staff members as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Munson that the Chair and Deputy Chair be authorized to
(1) determine whether any member of the Subcommittee 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 subcommittee to be on ``official business'' if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the subcommittee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the subcommittee 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.
At 4:54 p.m., it was agreed that the subcommittee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 29, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Subcommittee on Cities of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 10:47 a.m., this day, in room 705 of the Victoria Building, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C. presiding.
Members of the subcommittee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Eggleton, P.C., Munson, Nancy Ruth and Trenholme Counsell (5).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Keon and Pépin (2).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Brian O'Neal, Research Analyst, Political and Social Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the subcommittee began its study on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities.
WITNESSES:
Statistics Canada:
Jane Badets, Director, Social and Aboriginal Statistics;
Mark Brown, Senior Research Economist, Micro-Economic Analysis;
Andrew Heisz, Senior Research Economist, Business and Labour Market Analysis;
Garnett Picot, Director General, Socio-Economic and Business Analysis;
Grant Schellenberg, Senior Analyst, Social and Aboriginal Statistics;
John Turner, Chief, Policing Services Program, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.
Garnett Picot, Grant Schellenberg, Andrew Heisz and Mark Brown each made a statement. Together all the witnesses answered questions.
At 12:00 p.m., the subcommittee suspended its sitting.
At 12:05 p.m., the subcommittee resumed its sitting and pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the subcommittee proceeded in camera for the purpose of considering a draft agenda.
It was agreed that staff be permitted to stay.
At 12:25 p.m., it was agreed that the subcommittee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Subcommittee