Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 18 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 14, 2007
(24)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met in camera at 4:20 p.m., this day, in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Eggleton P.C., Munson, Nancy Ruth, Peterson, Rompkey, P.C., and Trenholme Counsell (9).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C. (1).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Odette Madore, Research Analyst, Economics Division and Sonya Norris, Science and Technology Division.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 22, 2006, the committee continued its study on the issue of funding for the treatment of autism. (See Issue No. 9, Thursday, November 2, 2006, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

The committee agreed that staff be permitted to stay.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) the committee proceeded in camera for the purpose of examining a draft report.

At 6:05 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Friday, February 16, 2007
(25)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met at 9:05 a.m., this day, in room 160- S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chaput, Cochrane, Eggleton P.C., Fairbairn, P.C., Keon and Trenholme Counsell (6).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Carstairs, P.C., Harb, Mercer and Rompkey, P.C. (4).

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament Research Branch: Tim Riordan-Raaflaub, Analyst, Political and Social Affairs Division.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the committee continued its study on the future of literacy programs in Canada. (See Issue No. 17, Wednesday, February 7, 2007, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc.:

Carol Vandale, Coordinator.

Yukon Literacy Coalition:

Sierra van der Meer, Programme Coordinator.

Literacy British Columbia:

Diana Twiss, President.

Literacy Nova Scotia:

Ann Marie Downie, Executive Director.

Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick:

Jan Greer, Executive Director.

Ontario Native Literacy Coalition:

Ellen Paterson, Executive Director.

Nunavut Literacy Council:

Daniel Page, Board Treasurer.

Literacy Alberta:

Janet Lane, Executive Director.

Literacy Partners of Manitoba:

Monika Feist, Board President.

Regroupement des groupes populaires en alphabétisation du Québec:

Christian Pelletier, Coordinator.

Ontario Literacy Coalition:

Annmarie Wesolowski, President.

Fédération d'alphabétisation du Nouveau-Brunswick:

Solange Basque Rhéaume, Acting Director General.

Ontario Literacy for Deaf People:

Peggy Anne Moore, Executive Director.

The following witnesses each made a statement: Janet Lane, Carol Vandale, Sierra van der Meer, Diana Twiss, Ann Marie Downie, Jan Greer, Ellen Paterson, Daniel Page, Monika Feist, Christian Pelletier, Solange Basque Rhéaume, Annmarie Wesolowski and Peggy Anne Moore (through American Sign Language interpreters).

At 11:10 a.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 11:21 a.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Together all the witnesses participated in a roundtable discussion with the Senators.

At 1:04 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee