Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 14, 2012

OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 14, 2012
(26)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 9:30 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buth, Callbeck, Chaput, Finley, Gerstein, Marshall, Martin, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Ringuette and Runciman (11).

In attendance: Édison Roy-César and Terrence Thomas, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 6, 2011, the committee continued its study on the potential reasons for price discrepancies in respect of certain goods between Canada and the United States, given the value of the Canadian dollar and the effect of cross border shopping on the Canadian economy. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 5.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters:

Carol Osmond, Vice President, Policy.

Campus Stores Canada:

Chris Tabor, Manager, Queen's University Bookstore.

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations:

Zachary Dayler, National Director.

Association of Canadian Book Wholesalers:

Heather Bindseil, President and Owner, Library Bound Inc. (by video conference).

Canadian Booksellers Association:

Mark Lefebvre, President;

Christopher Smith, Vice President.

The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absences of the chair and deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.

The Honourable Senator Marshall moved:

That the Honourable Senator Runciman be the acting chair.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The acting chair took the chair.

Ms. Osmond made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Tabor made a statement and, together with Mr. Dayler, answered questions.

Ms. Bindseil made a statement and answered questions.

Mr. Lefebvre made a statement and, together with Mr. Smith, answered questions.

At 11:20 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee