Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance

Issue 18 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 8, 2012

OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 8, 2012
(42)

[English]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buth, Callbeck, Day, Eaton, Gerstein, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Ringuette, Runciman, Smith (Saurel) and Stewart Olsen (11).

In attendance: Édison Roy-César, Sylvain Fleury 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 Tuesday, February 28, 2012, the committee continued its examination of the expenditures set out in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 13.)

The chair informed the committee of the vacancy in the deputy chair and presided over the election of a deputy chair.

The Honourable Senator Gerstein moved:

That the Honourable Senator Larry Smith be deputy chair.

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

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

Donald Piragoff, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector;

Daniel Schnob, Chief Financial Officer;

Joel Oliver, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Management Sector.

Mr. Piragoff made a statement and, together with Mr. Schnob and Mr. Oliver, answered questions.

At 11:06 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:08 a.m., the committee resumed.

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.)

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.

It was agreed that staff be permitted to remain during the in camera portion of the meeting.

At 11:37 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jodi Turner

Clerk of the Committee