Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 3, 2001
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met in camera at 9:30 a.m., this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lowell Murray, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Cools, Doody, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Mahovlich, Murray, Stratton, Tunney (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Moore (1).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee undertook discussion of its future business.
Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
After discussion, it was agreed to invite Ms Margaret Purdy, the Associate Deputy Minster of National Defence responsible for the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness, to appear before the committee on April 24, 2001 to follow up on the Committee's report on Canada's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
Deferred maintenance costs of infrastructures in Canada's post-secondary institutions
The Honourable Senator Moore made a presentation to committee members on the issue of deferred maintenance costs of infrastructures in Canada's post-secondary institutions. After discussion, it was agreed that the committee would hold hearings on this issue in the fall after background information has been prepared by committee staff.
Swissair Investigation
After discussion, it was agreed that the committee hold a meeting on May 1, 2001 on the cost of the Swissair Investigation and the international convention relating to the responsibility for the costs of international air accidents.
Financial Administration of the Judges Act
After discussion, it was agreed that the committee invite the Deputy Minister of Justice to appear before it on May 8, 2001 in relation to the financial administration of the Judges Act.
Canadian International Development Agency
After discussion, it was agreed that the committee invite the Minister responsible for CIDA to appear before it on May 15, 2001 to explain how CIDA was constituted and is now funded.
Public Service Commission
After discussion, it was agreed that the committee invite the President of the Public Service Commission to appear before it on May 29, 2001.
Accountability and Reporting to Parliament
After discussion, it was agreed that the committee examine accountability issues and the Estimates and performance of a specific department in the fall after committee staff has prepared background information on these subjects.
At 11:04 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 24, 2001
(9)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met at 9:33 a.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lowell Murray presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bolduc, Cools, De Bané, P.C., Doody, Ferretti Barth, Finnerty, Mahovlich, Murray, P.C., Tunney (9).
In attendance: Mr. Guy Beaumier, Research Officer, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Transportation Safety Board of Canada:
David Kinsman, Executive Director;
William Tucker, Director General of Investigation Operations;
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on March 1, 2001, the committee continued its examination of the expenditures set out in the Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.
Mr. Kinsman made an opening statement and with Mr. Tucker answered questions from members of the committee.
At 10:28 a.m., the committee continued its meeting in camera to discuss its future business.
Remuneration of judges
The committee continued its discussion of April 3, 2001 on the issue of remuneration of judges under the Judges Act and the role of Parliament in the process.
After debate, it was agreed to inform the Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice of the committee's concerns by sending them a summary of the discussion of the present meeting with a request to indicate which one of them is in the most appropriate position to answer the committee's questions.
Canadian International Development Agency
The committee undertook discussion of its decision of April 3, 2001 to invite the Minister responsible for CIDA before the committee. After debate it was agreed that there was no need for the committee to invite the Minister before the committee.
At 11:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Tõnu Onu
Clerk of the Committee