Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 15, 2012

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 15, 2012
(27)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day, at 6:44 p.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Joseph A. Day, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buth, Callbeck, Day, Gerstein, Manning, Marshall, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Ringuette and Runciman (10).

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:

Competition Bureau:

Richard Bilodeau, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner — Civil Matters Branch Division B;

Matthew Kellison, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner — Civil Matters Branch Division A.

Canadian Heritage:

Helen C. Kennedy, Deputy Director General, Cultural Industries;

Carla Curran, Director, Book Publishing Policy and Programs.

Mr. Bilodeau made a statement and, together with Mr. Kellison, answered questions.

Ms. Kennedy made a statement and, together with Ms. Curran, answered questions.

At 8:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee