Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 1, 2006
(17)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 6:16 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Cowan, Day, Di Nino, Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, and Ringuette (8).

In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, the committee continued its study on issues relating to the vertical and horizontal fiscal balances among the various orders of government in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3, dated September 26, 2006.)

APPEARING:

The Honourable David Simailak, M.L.A., Minister of Finance, Territory of Nunavut;

The Honourable Mitch Murphy, M.L.A., Provincial Treasurer, Province of Prince Edward Island.

WITNESSES:

Government of Nunavut:

Robert Vardy, Associate Deputy Minister of Finance.

Government of Prince Edward Island:

Nigel Burns, Senior Analyst, Federal Fiscal Relations.

Mr. Simailak made a statement and, with Mr. Vardy, answered questions.

At 7:16 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:18 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Murphy made a statement and, with Mr. Burns, answered questions.

At 8:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Till Heyde

Clerk of the Committee

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 7, 2006
(18)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9:30 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Day, Di Nino, Eggleton, P.C., Mercer, Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Ringuette, and Stratton (9).

In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, the committee continued its study on issues relating to the vertical and horizontal fiscal balances among the various orders of government in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3, dated September 26, 2006.)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Michael Baker, M.L.A., Minister of Finance, Province of Nova Scotia.

WITNESSES:

Government of Nova Scotia:

Vicki Harnish, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Finance;

Elizabeth A. Cody, Assistant Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Finance.

Mr. Baker made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 10:50 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:54 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the committee next meet at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8.

At 10:57 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 8, 2006
(19)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 6:15 p.m., in camera, in room 9, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Biron, Day, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, and Stratton (10).

In attendance: Tara Gray and Lydia Scratch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, the committee continued its study on issues relating to the vertical and horizontal fiscal balances among the various orders of government in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3, dated September 26, 2006.)

It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to remain during the in camera portion of this meeting.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) the committee considered a draft agenda.

At 7:25 p.m., the Honourable Nancy Ruth assumed the Chair.

At 7:43 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gerald Lafrenière

Acting Clerk of the Committee