Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance:

1.be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Supplementary Estimates (A), 2020-21, tabled in the Senate on June 16, 2020;

2.be authorized, in light of the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, to meet by videoconference or teleconference, if technically feasible, for the purposes of its studies of estimates as authorized by paragraph 1 or as already authorized by the Senate, subject to the provisions of the order of April 11, 2020, respecting its study of certain issues relating to legislation and government actions in response to the pandemic;

3.have the power to meet for the purposes of its studies of estimates as authorized by paragraph 1 or as already authorized by the Senate, even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto; and

4.be permitted to deposit electronically with the Clerk of the Senate any reports on studies of estimates as authorized by paragraph 1 or as already authorized by the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting, with the reports then being deemed to have been tabled or presented in the Senate.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.