Proceedings of the Standing Joint Committee for the
Scrutiny of Regulations

Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 19, 2007

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 19, 2007
(13)

[Translation]

The Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations met this day at 8:36 a.m. in room 256-S, Centre Block, the Joint Chairmen, the Honourable J. Trevor Eyton and Mr. Paul Szabo, M.P., presiding.

Representing the Senate: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Eyton, Harb and Moore (4).

Representing the House of Commons: Ron Cannan, Dean Del Mastro, Ken Epp, Monique Guay, Randy Kamp (for Ron Cannan), Derek Lee, John Maloney, Rick Norlock, Jean-Yves Roy (for France Bonsant) and Paul Szabo (10).

In attendance: Mike MacPherson, Joint Clerk of the Committee (House of Commons); from the Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Peter Bernhardt, General Counsel, and Lindsey Armstrong, Legal Counsel.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee continued its consideration of its permanent Order of Reference, section 19, the Statutory Instruments Act, R.S.C. (1985), c. S-22, which follows:

Every statutory instrument issued, made or established after December 31, 1971, other than an instrument the inspection of which and the obtaining of copies of which are precluded by any regulations made pursuant to paragraph 20(d), shall stand permanently referred to any committee of the House of Commons, of the Senate, or of both Houses of Parliament that may be established for the purpose of reviewing and scrutinizing statutory instruments.

On SOR/94-439 — National Parks Camping Regulations, amendment; SOR/94-512 — National Parks General Regulations, amendment, it was agreed that the Joint Chairs correspond with the Minister of Canadian Heritage with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/2004-263 — Regulations Amending Certain Regulations made under the Fisheries Act, it was agreed that the Joint Chairs correspond with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On Report No. 39 (Fifth Report of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations), it was agreed that the Joint Chairs correspond with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/78-213 — National Parks General Regulations; SOR/82-949 — National Parks General Regulations, amendment, it was agreed that the Joint Chairs correspond with the Minister of the Environment with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/98-2 — Regulations Amending the Fish Inspection Regulations; SOR/99-169 — Regulations Amending the Fish Inspection Regulations, it was agreed that the Joint Chairs correspond with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/2006-324 — Regulations Amending the Crown Corporation Payments Regulations, it was agreed that the file be closed.

On SI/2006-2 — Proclamation Giving Notice that the Agreement Between Canada and Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income Ceases to Have Effect in Accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 29 of the Convention, it was agreed that the file be closed.

On SOR/2006-43 — Proclamation Declaring that the Government Corporations Operation Act is Applicable to BDC Capital Inc., it was agreed that the file be closed.

On SOR/93-220 — Historic Canals Regulations, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee correspond with the Designated Instruments Officer of Parks Canada with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/2002-76 — Marine Activities in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee correspond with the Designated Instruments Officer of Parks Canada with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/2003-302 — Regulations Amending the National Parks Fire Protection Regulations; SOR/2004-299 — Regulations amending the National Parks Aircraft Access Regulations, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee review their status at a later date and inform the committee of the action taken.

On SI/2004-109 — Direction Applying the Auditor General Act Sustainable Development Strategy Requirements to Certain Departments, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee correspond with the Designated Instruments Officer of the Privy Council Office with respect to certain comments made by the committee.

On SOR/89-106 — Ship Fumigation Regulations, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee review their status at a later date and inform the committee of the action taken.

On SOR/2004-301 — Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada Snowshoe Hare Regulations, it was agreed that Counsel to the committee review their status at a later date and inform the committee of the action taken.

The committee considered SI/2006-66 — Order Amending the Privacy Act Heads of Government Institutions Designation Order; SOR/97-390 — Crewing Regulations; SOR/2002-151 — Regulations Amending the Crewing Regulations; SOR/97-391 — Marine Certification Regulations; SOR/2002-150 — Regulations Amending the Marine Certification Regulations; SOR/2001-32 — Controlled Goods Regulations; SOR/94-750 — Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations, amendment; SOR/95-174 — Government Property Traffic Regulations, amendment; SOR/95-177 — Customs Sufferance Warehouses Regulations, Amendment; SOR/2005-260 — Order Amending the Canadian Cultural Property Export Control List; SOR/2006-345 — Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made under the Canada Post Corporation Act (Miscellaneous Program).

The committee considered the following statutory instruments without comment:

SI/2006-109 — Order Respecting Ex-Gratia Payments to Chinese Head Tax Payers;

SI/2006-133 — Order Recommending that Each Entity Listed as of July 23, 2006, in the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities Remain a Listed Entity;

SI/2006-134 — Order Respecting Ex-Gratia Payments to Veterans Involved in Chemical Warfare Agent Testing;

SI/2006-136 — Order Fixing November 27, 2006 as the Date of the Coming into Force of the Act;

SI/2006-138 — Order Terminating the Assignment of the Honourable Michael Chong;

SI/2006-139 — Order Assigning the Honourable Peter Van Loan to Assist the Minister of Canadian Heritage;

SI/2006-140 — Order Fixing November 28, 2006 as the Date of the Coming into Force of Certain Sections of the Act;

SI/2006-143 — Order Fixing December 12, 2006 as the Date of the Coming into Force of Certain Sections of the Act;

SI/2006-145 — Order fixing December 15, 2006 as the Date of the Coming into Force of the Act;

SI/2007-1 — Order Fixing January 1, 2007 as the Date of the Coming into Force of Subsection 12(3) of the Act;

SI/2007-2 — Order Terminating the Assignment of the Honourable Peter Van Loan;

SI/2007-3 — Order Assigning the Honourable Marjory LeBreton to Assist the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development;

SI/2007-4 — Order Assigning the Honourable Jay D. Hill to Assist the Prime Minister;

SI/2007-5 — Order Assigning the Honourable Jason Kenney to Assist the Minister of Canadian Heritage;

SI/2007-6 — Order Assigning the Honourable Gerry Ritz to Assist the Minister of Industry;

SI/2007-7 — Order Assigning the Honourable Helena Guergis to Assist the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for International Trade and the Minister of Canadian Heritage;

SI/2007-8 — Order Assigning the Honourable Christian Paradis to Assist the Minister of Agriculture and Agri- Food.

The committee considered future business.

At 9:45 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Joint Chairs.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

The Joint Clerk of the Committee (Senate)