Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the
Environment and Natural Resources
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 26, 1996 (1)
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met at 9:00 a.m. this day, for the purpose of organization pursuant to Rule 88.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Berntson, Ghitter, Kenny and Rompkey.(4)
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The Clerk presided over the election of the Chairman
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, - That the Honourable Senator Ghitter be elected Chairman of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
Senator Ghitter was invited by the Clerk of the Committee to take the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey moved, - That the Honourable Senator Kenny be elected Deputy Chairman of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member of the Committee to be designated after the usual consultation; that theSubcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Committee with respect to its agenda and procedure; that theSubcommittee be empowered to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and that theSubcommittee report its decisions to the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey moved - That the Committee print 500 copies of its Proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That, pursuant to Rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That, pursuant to Rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report to the Senate, as the First Report of the Committee, expenses incurred by the committee in the last session.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee; That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to negotiate the contracts and retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and That the Chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in preparation of studies, analyses and summaries.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chairman; and that, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred on the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That, pursuant to the Senate Guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more thant two witnesses from any organization and payment will take place upon application.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That the Chairman of the committee asks permission of the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the public proceedings that the committee will wish to have covered.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That the committee develop a communication plan and submit it with its budget.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
It was agreed - That the committee, in cooperation with the Honourable Senator Carney, develop a communication plan to promote and publicize the Report entitled "Protecting places and people" which was produced by the committee last session.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved - That the Chairman of the committee asks the Senate for a mandate to revisite Bill S-7 and that hearings be held April 16 and 23.
The question being put on the motion, it was - Resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Berntson informed the committee of a possible study on Devco.
It was agreed - That the interested parties should present a plan of action on a possible study on Devco and present it to the Steering Committee.
It was agreed - That the Chairman of the committee write a letter to the Honourables Sheila Copps and Sergio Marquis to remind them of the commitment made to this Committee concerning amendments to be made to include "reporting to the Senate" to Bill C-83.
It was agreed - That the Chairman of the committee asks the Senate for a general mandate concerning energy, the environment and natural resources for the committee.
At 9:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 30, 1996 (2)
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met at 9:00 a.m. this day, the Chairman, the Honourable Ron Ghitter, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Buchanan, Cochrane, Ghitter, Marchand, Spivak and Taylor.(7)
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Nolin. (1)
In attendance: Lynne Myers from the Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Frank A. Richter, A/Commr, Director, Finance and Supply;
Alfred A. Dupuis, A.OIC, Materiel & Services Management Branch;
Keith Paremain, OIC, Fleet Program Administration.
From the Department of National Defence:
Col. John Stewart, Direction of Transportation and Movement;
Dennis Umrysh, Director, Support Vehicle Program.
From Natural Resources Canada:
Neil MacLeod, Director General, Assets Management and Administrative Services Branch, Corporate Services Sector;
Bill Jarvis, Director General, Energy Efficiency Branch, Energy Sector.
From Correctional Service Canada:
Ernie Hughes, Head Assets Management;
Gerry R. Hooper, Assistant Commissioner, Technical and Information Management Services.
From BC Gas Utility Ltd.:
Al Basham, Manager, Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV).
From the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicles Alliance (CNGVA):
Michael McNeil, President and CEO.
From Centra Gas Manitoba Inc.:
Tom Bell, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales.
From Consumers' Gas:
Perry Stover, Director and NGV Business Development.
The committee, in compliance with its Order of Reference dated Wednesday, March 27, 1996, proceeded to monitor all matters related to the implementation and application of the Act to accelerate the use of alternative fuels for internal combustion engines (previously S-7).
Mr. Hooper, Mr. MacLeod, Col. Stewart and Mr. Richter made statements and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
Mr. McNeil made a statement and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 11:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee