Journals of the Senate
57 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2008, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 66
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Bacon, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Merchant, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Peterson, Phalen, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, St. Germain, Segal, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
*Adams, Andreychuk, Bacon, *Banks, Biron, *Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, *Carstairs, *Champagne, *Chaput, *Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, *Corbin, *Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, *Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, *Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, *Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, *McCoy, *Mercer, Merchant, *Milne, *Mitchell, Moore, Munson, *Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, *Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, *Robichaud, *Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Bacon, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, presented its sixth report (Bill C-23, An Act to amend the Canada Marine Act, the Canada Transportation Act, the Pilotage Act and other Acts in consequence, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dallaire, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a third reading at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eyton, Joint Chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations, tabled its third report (Report No. 81 — Species at Risk Act).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-623S.
The Honourable Senator Day presented the following:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance has the honour to present its
FIFTEENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which were referred the 2008-2009 Estimates has, in obedience to the Order of Reference of 28 February 2008, examined the said estimates and herewith present its second interim report.
The 2008-2009 Estimates were tabled in the Senate on 28 February 2008 and subsequently referred for review to the National Finance Committee. As is customary with this committee, several meeting dates were set aside for the review of the Estimates. The committee's initial examination began on 4 March 2008. Officials of the Treasury Board Secretariat outlined and explained the main features of this year's Main Estimates and answered several questions at that time and through written responses at a later date. The particulars of the Interim Supply Bill were made available for the committee's consideration before the end of March and an interim report (the Committee's Eighth Report) was submitted to the Senate in March 2008. Since that date, the committee has continued its examination of the Estimates documents. In all eight hearings were held.
On 29 April 2008, the committee began a series of 4 meetings to examine in greater detail the spending plans of the federal government. At these meetings the committee heard evidence relating to the positions and officers created by the Federal Accountability Act. Numerous officials from government departments, agencies and the Library of Parliament appeared to explain the steps taken to establish the new positions and offices created by the Act. At one meeting, the Honourable Michael Fortier explained the mandate and expected role of the Procurement Ombudsman. The Committee submitted a Report on the Officers and Agents of Parliament Created or Modified by the Federal Accountability Act in May 2008.
Four other meetings were dedicated to the examination of federal infrastructure initiatives. Officials from government departments including: Infrastructure Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Québec, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Industry Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and representatives of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities testified before the Committee. The findings of the committee are contained in its Report on Infrastructure Programs and Regional Development Agencies date June 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. DAY
Chair
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Furey, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eyton, Joint Chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations, tabled its fourth report (Report No. 82 — Indian Act).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-624S.
Government Notices of Motions
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at 2 p.m.; and
That the provisions of rule 95(2) be suspended during this adjournment period.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Grafstein tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the 47th Canadian-American Days, held in Myrtle Beach, United States, from March 25 to 30, 2008.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-625.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons to return Bill S-207, An Act to repeal legislation that has not come into force within ten years of receiving royal assent,
And to acquaint the Senate that the Commons have passed this Bill without amendment.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2007-2011 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2007 of VIA Rail Canada Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/ 39-622.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 1:40 p.m. the Senate was continued until Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2 p.m.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The name of the Honourable Senator Mercer substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Fairbairn (June 4).