Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met in camera this day at 4:32 p.m., 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., Cook, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Martin, Pépin and Segal (10).
In attendance: Odette Madore, Acting Chief, Social, Health and Cultural Section, Social Affairs Division and Havi Echenberg, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the committee continued its examination on population health. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.
After debate,
It was moved that recommendation 8 be amended to include the words ``alleviate poverty'' after the word contribute.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Champagne, Segal — 2
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Eggleton, P.C., Callbeck, Cook, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Martin, Pépin — 8
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
After debate,
It was moved that the committee add the following recommendation:
That the Government of Canada prepare a White Paper on a coherent approach to eradicating poverty, poverty being a compelling cause of negative health outcomes and that the White Paper explore the pros and cons of an integrated negative income tax/basic income floor approach to eradicating poverty.
The question being put on the motion, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Segal — 1
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Eggleton, P.C., Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cook, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Martin, Pépin — 9
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
It was agreed that the committee adopt the report entitled: A Healthy, Productive Canada: A Determinant of Health Approach prepared by the Subcommittee on Population Health and that the report be tabled in the Senate.
At 5:06 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 4, 2009
(9)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:45 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Fairbairn, P.C., Keon, Martin, Pépin and Segal (11).
In attendance: Sonya Norris and Marlisa Tiedemann, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the committee began its study on Bill C-11, An Act to promote safety and security with respect to human pathogens and toxins.
WITNESSES:
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer;
Dr. Theresa Tam, Director General.
Health Canada:
Irit Weiser, Senior General Counsel, Head of Legal Services.
Dalhousie University:
Elaine Gibson, Associate Professor, Health Law Institute
The chair made an opening statement.
Dr. Butler-Jones made a statement and, with Dr. Tam and Ms. Weiser, answered questions.
At 11:59 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:01 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Gibson made a presentation and answered questions.
At 12:40 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 10, 2009
(10)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:12 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Champagne, P.C., Cochrane, Cook, Cordy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, P.C., Martin, Merchant, Peterson and Raine (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Pépin (1).
In attendance: Havi Echenberg and François Côté, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the committee continued its study on Bill C-11, An Act to promote safety and security with respect to human pathogens and toxins.
WITNESSES:
Laval University:
Marc Ouellette, Professor.
McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health:
Dr. Peter Singer, Director.
Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories:
Paul Gould, Chief Executive Officer.
McGill University:
Marianna Newkirk, Associate Dean, Research.
University of Toronto:
Andrew Bognar, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics.
National Research Council Canada:
Dr. Wayne Conlan, Research Officer.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Ouellette and Dr. Singer each made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:18 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Gould and Ms. Newkirk made a statement.
At 5:35 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:08 p.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Newkirk, Mr. Bognar and Dr. Conlan made a statement, and with Mr. Gould, answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee delegate to its Subcommittee on Cities the power to sit up to and including Tuesday, June 30, 2009, for the purpose of its study on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities, even though the Senate may then be adjourned for a period for exceeding one week, as authorized by the Senate on June 9, 2009.
At 7 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gérald Lafrenière
Acting Clerk of the Committee