|
||
|
In this Issue Senate Business Highlights The Special Committee on Illegal Drugs issued its thorough, controversial and highly acclaimed report on cannabis policy in September. It not only prompted extensive public discussion, but provided an important impetus for the government to reconsidering cannabis legislation and penalties that may well produce proposals for legislation in the coming months.
The Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce has just released its report on mergers of banks and financial institutions. This report will influence the government as it formulates positions on key economic policy issues. Other events included the prorogation of the First Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament and the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber introducing the Second Session. The Senate has engaged in important debates and consideration of key public policy issues, from climate change, energy policy and the Kyoto Accord to the war on terror and international tensions in Afghanistan and Iraq, from the status and treatment of endangered species to use of, and accountability for, government contingency funds. There is a great deal more to come as the Senate considers both pending government legislation referred to it, legislative initiatives identified by Senators and key social, economic, security and public policy issues dear to the hearts and minds of Canadians. In this issue of the Senate Report, we outline many of these topics and other significant activities.
Senator’s Forum I learned my trade in the Chamber and in committee with some terrific colleagues, both on the government side and on the opposition side. I myself have sat on both sides. I worked hard to become as familiar as possible with the issues placed before the Foreign Affairs and National Finance committees, and made my modest contribution to the work of both of them. The collaboration of the clerks and research assistants was invaluable. As a former senior member of the Quebec public service, I also appreciated the competence of the senior federal public servants who appeared before us to give evidence. Being a member of the PC Caucus enabled me to get to know a remarkable group of people whose overriding concern is the well-being of our country. I also participated in the activities of the Canada-Europe Inter-Parliamentary Association and the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group. I think the latter should be even more active, given the importance of our relations with our American friends. I want to thank all the members of the Senate, and its employees, managers and administrators, for their unfailing dedication.
|
