FINA Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 118

Thursday, October 1st, 1998

The Standing Committee on Finance met in a televised session at 9:16 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Maurizio Bevilacqua, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Maurizio Bevilacqua, Roger Gallaway, Yvan Loubier, Gary Pillitteri, Karen Redman, Nelson Riis and Paul Szabo.

Acting Members present: Nick Discepola for Mark Assad, Sophia Leung (from 9:16 a.m.) and Bryon Wilfert (from 11:50 a.m.) for David Iftody, Nancy Karetak-Lindell (from 1:00 p.m.) for Karen Redman, Carolyn Bennett for Paddy Torsney, Stan Dromisky (from 12:30 p.m.) for Tony Valeri, Charlie Penson for Dick Harris, Ken Epp for Monte Solberg, Odina Desrochers (from 1:00 p.m.) for Gilles-A. Perron.

Witnesses: From the Great-West Life and London Life Insurance: Ray L. McFeetors, President and C.E.O; Sheila A. Wagar, Senior Vice-President and General Counsel and Secretary; Al Edwards, Senior Vice-President and Actuary.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumes its study of the Report of the Task Force on the future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector. (See minutes of proceedings, dated Monday, September 21, 1998, meeting # 106).

Ray L. McFeetors made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 10:08 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:17 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Witnesses: From Air Transport Association of Canada: Clifford J. Mackay, President & CEO; Howard Goldberg, Vice-President and Secretary; From the Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council: Ken Ogilvie, Executive Director, Pollution Probe; Al Loney, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Councillor and Chair of the RMOC Transit Commission; From the Railway Association of Canada: R.H. Ballantyne, President; From the Certified General Accountants' Association of Canada: Mark Boudreau, Vice-President, Public and Government Relations; Don Goodison, Chair, Tax Policy Committee; From the Federation of Canadian Municipalities: René Danis, Counsellor, Gloucester Township; James W. Knight, Executive Director; Louise Comeau, Analyst, Politics and Programs; From the International Association of Fire Fighters: Sean P. McManus, Canadian Director; Erik Leicht, Chair, Pension Committee, Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association; Rick Miller, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Board Member.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Orders 108(2) and 83.1, the Committee resumes its Pre-Budget Consultation Process. (See minutes of proceedings, dated Monday, June 8, 1998, meeting No 92).

Clifford J. MacKay, Ken Ogilvie, Al Loney, R.H. Ballantyne made opening statements and answered questions.

At 11:30 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:37 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Don Goodison, René Danis, Sean P. McManus made opening statements and, with other witnesses, answered questions.

At 1:00 p.m., the clerk of the Committee presided over the election of a Chair.

Paul Szabo moved, - That Maurizio Bevilacqua do take the Chair as Chair of this Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was carried on the following division:

Ken Epp moved, - That Dick Harris be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

Gary Pilliteri moved, - That Nick Discepola be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was carried with the following division:

It was agreed, - That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and a representative of each of the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party and the Progressive Conservative Party, do compose the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

Roger Gallaway moved, - That the Committee retain the services of one or more research officers from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Roger Gallaway moved, - That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the Opposition.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

Roger Gallaway moved, - That the witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement and, that during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated five (5) minutes for the first questioner (of each party) and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between opposition and government parties, at the discretion of the Chair.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

Roger Gallaway moved, That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representatives for any one organization.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

Roger Gallaway moved, - That the Committee authorize the Chair, from time to time, as the need arises, to take in conjunction with the Clerk of the Committee, the appropriate measures to provide lunches for the Committee and its Sub-Committees, for working purposes, and that the cost of these lunches be charged to the budget of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion it was carried on the following division:

On motion of Dick Harris, it was agreed, - That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(4), whenever an Order in council for appointment or a certificate of nomination is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the resume of each appointee.

That the Committee agrees, when a Private Member's Bill is referred, to put the Bill on its agenda at the earliest possible time in order to invite the Member to explain the Bill to the Committee and to decide on its work plan.

At 1:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.