CONTENTS
Monday 3 May 1999
Election of Chair
Election of Vice-Chair
Appointment of subcommittee
Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies Act, 1999, Bill Pr4, Mr Klees
Mr Frank Klees, MPP
Canada Christian College and School of
Graduate Theological Studies
Dr Charles McVety
Dr Rondo Thomas
Mr Jonathan Griffiths
City of Windsor Act, 1999, Bill Pr7, Mrs Pupatello
Mrs Sandra Pupatello, MPP
City of Windsor
Mr Pat Brode
Columbus Club of Sault Ste Marie Act, 1999, Bill Pr8, Mr Martin
Mr Tony Martin, MPP
Columbus Club of Sault Ste Marie
Mr Robert MacRae
City of Ottawa Act, 1999, Bill Pr1, Mr Guzzo
City of Ottawa
Mr Jerald Bellomo
STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS
Chair /
Président
Mr Toby Barrett (Norfolk PC)
Vice-Chair / Vice-Président
Mr Dave Boushy (Sarnia PC)
Mr Toby Barrett (Norfolk PC)
Mr Dave Boushy (Sarnia PC)
Mr David Caplan (Oriole L)
Mr Ernie Hardeman (Oxford PC)
Mr Gary L. Leadston (Kitchener-Wilmot PC)
Mr Tony Martin (Sault Ste Marie ND)
Mr Tony Ruprecht (Parkdale L)
Mr Derwyn Shea (High Park-Swansea PC)
Mr Frank Sheehan (Lincoln PC)
Substitutions / Membres remplaçants
Mr Bill Grimmett (Muskoka-Georgian Bay / Muskoka-Baie-Georgienne PC)
Mr Frank Klees (York-Mackenzie PC)
Mr Peter L. Preston (Brant-Haldimand PC)
Mrs Sandra Pupatello (Windsor-Sandwich L)
Clerk / Greffière
Ms Anne Stokes
Staff / Personnel
Ms Laura Hopkins and Ms Susan Klein, legislative counsel
The committee met at 1002 in committee room 1.
ELECTION OF CHAIR
Clerk of the Committee (Ms Anne Stokes): Good morning. Honourable members, it is my duty to call upon you to elect a Chair. Are there any nominations?
Mr Frank Klees (York-Mackenzie): Yes. I would like to nominate Toby Barrett as Chair.
Clerk of the Committee: Thank you. Are there any further nominations? There being no further nominations, I declare the nominations closed and that Mr Toby Barrett be elected Chair. Mr Barrett is not present right now.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR
Clerk of the Committee: Honourable members, it is my duty to call upon you to elect a Vice-Chair. Are there any nominations?
Mr Klees: I would like to nominate Mr Hardeman. Mr Hardeman is not here, so we'll nominate Mr Boushy.
Clerk of the Committee: Mr Boushy is the nominee. Are there any further nominations? There being no further nominations, I declare the nominations closed and that Mr Boushy be elected Vice-Chair. Mr Boushy, would you like to come up and take the chair.
APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE
The Vice-Chair (Mr Dave Boushy): Good morning. The first business is to have a motion to appoint a business subcommittee. Is there a mover for that motion?
Mr Klees: I move that a subcommittee on committee business be appointed to meet from time to time, at the call of the Chair or at the request of any member thereof, to consider and report to the committee on the business of the committee;
That the presence of all members of the subcommittee is necessary to constitute a meeting; and
That the subcommittee be composed of the following members: Mr Barrett, Chair, Mr Hardeman, Mr Ruprecht and Mr Martin; and
That any member may designate a substitute member on the subcommittee who is of the same recognized party.
The Vice-Chair: Is there any discussion on the motion? All those in favour? Opposed? Carried.
CANADA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE AND SCHOOL OF GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL STUDIES ACT, 1999
Consideration of Bill Pr4, An Act respecting Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies.
The Vice-Chair: I now call the first bill, which is Pr4. We will ask the sponsor, Mr Frank Klees, to speak to the bill.
Mr Klees: I'm honoured this morning to recommend to this committee Bill Pr4, which is an act that I believe is long overdue. The people who are bringing the bill forward have been working on this for a number of years. I have worked very closely with the college and understand that it has probably been some 19 years of stalwart persistency on the part of this organization to try to achieve degree-granting authority.
I would like to ask Dr Charles McVety and his representatives to come forward. I will ask them to introduce themselves and provide a brief overview of the purpose of this bill. The overall thrust is that the board of trustees of the Canadian Non-Denominational Association for Education and Evangelism is applying for special legislation to incorporate a school of higher Christian learning under the name of Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies, and to permit the college to grant degrees in the field of religious studies and research and higher Christian learning.
Before Dr McVety speaks, I want you to know that more than 10 years ago I first met Dr McVety's father and grew to admire the work he was doing in the area of religious education at that time. That good work is being carried on by his son, Dr Charles McVety. I highly recommend quick approval of the legislation to this committee.
The Vice-Chair: If you would like to introduce yourselves and speak on the bill, please.
Dr Charles McVety : Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College.
Dr Rondo Thomas : Dr Rondo Thomas, director of the association for education and evangelism, member of the board of directors.
Mr Jonathan Griffiths : I'm Jonathan Griffiths and I'm solicitor for the college.
Dr McVety : On behalf of the board of directors, staff, faculty and students of Canada Christian College, I want to thank you for this opportunity today to present our bill.
For over 25 years, Canada Christian College has offered quality theological post-secondary education to over 2,500 men and women, training them to better society as pastors, counsellors, mission workers and ministers of religion. Today, these men and women are asserting the moral principles of Christianity in an effort to raise the standard of society that is obviously in moral decay.
The college application asks you to allow the institution to continue to provide education at no cost to the taxpayer and to allow the college to grant theological degrees in Ontario.
Today, 13 similar colleges have received similar consideration. The college has been thoroughly examined by the Minister of Education and has met or exceeded all quality standards for such institutions.
The college has 30 well-qualified professors who strive to deliver the highest level of instruction, aimed at academic excellence, with a strong practical emphasis.
The college is blessed with an outstanding facility at Don Mills and Eglinton. Currently, the school has 163 students in its 100,000-square-foot campus, which could easily handle about 1,000 students in a first-class educational setting.
A recent report indicated that Ontario will experience a 30% increase in post-secondary applications over the next few years. The need for additional college classroom space is growing. If allowed, Canada Christian College could meet a small portion of this need without public funding.
The constituency that the college serves relies on its graduates for religious leadership. These churches across Ontario and Canada are depending on the success of this bill. The faculty and staff of the college, whose livelihoods are at stake, are depending on the passing of this bill. Most important, the current and prospective students who are planning their future are intently awaiting the results of this committee meeting today. Therefore, I would like to ask you to consider our Bill Pr4 and pass it today.
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The Vice-Chair: Any more speakers? Any more interested parties who would like to speak on the subject?
I would like to ask Mr Grimmett if there are any comments from the government.
Mr Bill Grimmett (Muskoka-Georgian Bay): I had a chance before the meeting today to speak with officials from the ministry, and it's my understanding that there are no objections from any government ministry on this bill.
The Vice-Chair: Any questions from the committee members?
Mr Derwyn Shea (High Park-Swansea): A couple of questions; first of all, to thank Mr Klees for the introduction and for bringing this before us. It continues in the tradition that we've been following the last couple of years of granting this legislation, and I certainly approve it. But a couple of questions I want to ask: Doctor, can you tell me, are you searching out for accreditation? Can you tell me the linkages you will have in terms of accreditation for the degrees within the North American theological colleges?
Dr McVety: We have joined a couple of associations. One is the Canadian association of Bible colleges. Another is the Association of Christian Schools International. There are a couple of other US-based accreditation bodies that we will pursue, but we first have to receive a bill or charter such as this.
Mr Shea: In terms of section 6, I notice in terms of the degrees that you're offering, one degree that's not there which would normally be seen would be the doctor of divinity, offered either through coursework or through honoris causa. Have you any comments on that?
Dr McVety: We would only pursue the doctor of divinity as an honorary degree and that is covered in another clause in the act.
Mr Shea: Those are my questions. I'm very supportive of this.
Mr Klees: I'd ask that we call the question, Chair.
Mr Tony Ruprecht (Parkdale): I certainly don't want to prolong the proceedings. Let me just give you two sentences, Mr Chair. I've been familiar with Canada Christian College for 15 years and very familiar with their wonderful work as being a testament to a Christian heritage. We therefore are in support of this bill.
The Vice-Chair: Are the members ready to vote?
Does section 1 through section 13 carry? Carried.
Shall the schedule carry? Carried.
Shall the preamble carry? Carried.
Shall the title carry? Carried.
Shall the bill carry? Carried.
Shall I report the bill to the House today? Yes.
Thank you very much for your contribution, and good luck.
CITY OF WINDSOR ACT, 1999
Consideration of Bill Pr7, An Act respecting the City of Windsor.
The Vice-Chair: Now we will go on to the next bill, Bill Pr7, An Act respecting the City of Windsor. I would like to call on the sponsor from Windsor.
Mrs Sandra Pupatello (Windsor-Sandwich): The bill is very simply entitled An Act respecting the City of Windsor. I'm very pleased to introduce Pat Brode, who is the city solicitor, and ask him to come forward.
The fourth bill on the docket today is of a similar nature, and hopefully we'll be able to move through them quickly. I would simply ask the government members to help me in ensuring that we can pass all of these bills before the end of the day tomorrow.
Pat Brode, thank you for coming up today.
Mr Pat Brode: My name is Pat Brode. I'm a lawyer for the city of Windsor. It's a pleasure to meet the committee this morning.
The bill is one that has been before the House before, and similar, if not identical, legislation has already been enacted in Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Vaughan, Cobourg and Kitchener. As you've been made aware, there's an identical bill pending from the city of Ottawa here today.
The bill is a very simple one. It states, according to the explanatory note, that it will give the council of the city of Windsor the power to prohibit the demolition of properties that are designated for heritage purposes until at least 180 days have elapsed from the date of refusal or -- and this is the one change the private legislation brings in -- a building permit has been obtained.
Essentially what the legislation would do is require a person who seeks to demolish a heritage structure to first obtain a building permit before obtaining a demolition permit. This change has been supported in Windsor. You have, I believe, the report from the Windsor architectural advisory committee that they fully support this legislation, which, as I've indicated to the committee, is identical to a number of bills which have already been enacted.
The Vice-Chair: Thank you very much. Would any other interested parties like to speak on the matter? Would you like to speak on behalf of the government, Mr Grimmett?
Mr Grimmett: I just want to assure the committee that I had a detailed briefing this morning and my understanding is that there are no objections from any ministries to this bill.
The Vice-Chair: Thank you for your co-operation. I think we're doing OK this morning.
Any questions from the members?
Mr Klees: I would just like to comment. As someone who grew up in Essex county, well familiar with the city of Windsor, I have also received recommendations to support this bill, and I'm prepared to do so. Mr Erie Woltz of Windsor gave me a call this past week and urged us to support the city in their application for this bill.
The Vice-Chair: Any more questions? Are we ready to vote?
Shall sections 1 through 10 carry? Carried.
Shall the preamble carry? Carried.
Shall the title carry? Carried.
Shall the bill carry? Carried.
Shall I report the bill to the House today? Agreed.
COLUMBUS CLUB OF SAULT STE. MARIE ACT, 1999
Consideration of Bill Pr8, An Act respecting the Columbus Club of Sault Ste Marie Ltd.
The Vice-Chair: Now we'll introduce Bill Pr8, An Act respecting the Columbus Club of Sault Ste Marie Ltd. I would like to ask the sponsor, Mr Tony Martin, MPP, to speak.
Mr Tony Martin (Sault Ste Marie): This is a rather simple piece of business. The Columbus Club of Sault Ste Marie is asking to bring their incorporation into today's framework. They were incorporated in 1915 as a share capital corporation, which was the only option open to them at the time. They're wanting now to move to non-share, not-for-profit. It doesn't change anything, effectively; it simply brings this club into keeping with all the other organizations of a similar nature in the province. We're doing it in this manner simply because a number of the original incorporators have since passed away, and we are unable to get in touch with their offspring to do it in any other fashion.
I'll leave it at that and turn it over to the legal counsel to perhaps fill in the gaps or answer any questions that might need to be answered.
Mr Robert MacRae: I can indicate that there were a number of issues to deal with, but the reason the bill is necessary is that in order to convert to a not-for-profit corporation generally there has to be the consent of 95% of the shareholders. In this case there are a number they haven't been able to get in touch with, so there was a request to do it in this manner.
The Columbus Club will carry on exactly as it has in the past. It is a charitable organization in Sault Ste Marie. Its only asset is its building and the land the building is on. There is a fund that will be set up. The original value of the share was $10 and there is a fund set up as part of this bill to ensure that should there be any redemption of shares in the future, there will be monies to pay for that redemption. Subject to any questions, that's an overview.
The Vice-Chair: Is there any other interested party who would like to speak on the matter? Mr Grimmett, would you like to make your --
Mr Grimmett: Again, no objections from any ministry on this bill.
The Vice-Chair: Any questions?
Mr Frank Sheehan (Lincoln): What are the land and building worth?
Mr MacRae: There was an evaluation done but it was over 20 years ago. I can't give you a current value, sir.
Mr Sheehan: You know Sault Ste Marie. Give me a ballpark number. Is it $20 million or $20,000?
Mr MacRae: I would say it's somewhere in the range of $200,000, maybe $250,000.
The Vice-Chair: Any more questions? Are we ready to vote?
Shall sections 1 to 4 carry? Carried.
Shall the preamble carry? Carried.
Shall the title carry? Carried.
Shall the bill carry? Carried.
Shall I report the bill to the House? Carried. It will be done.
CITY OF OTTAWA ACT, 1999
Consideration of Bill Pr1, An Act respecting the City of Ottawa.
The Vice-Chair: Would you introduce yourself, please, and start speaking on the matter.
Mr Jerald Bellomo: My name is Jerry Bellomo. I'm the city solicitor for the city of Ottawa. Unfortunately, our sponsor, Mr Garry Guzzo, was not able to be here this morning.
My colleague Mr Brode from the city of Windsor made my job very easy, since our bill is identical to the bill presented by the city of Windsor. It's a bill to ensure the protection of heritage buildings in certain circumstances. I'd ask for the support of this committee. Similar to the Windsor bill, this bill also has the support of the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.
The Vice-Chair: Thank you very much. Are there any interested parties who would like to speak on the matter? Mr Grimmett, is it your usual --
Mr Grimmett: The usual preamble, Mr Chair. My report is that there are no objections from any ministries.
The Vice-Chair: So we're ready to go ahead and vote.
Shall sections 1 to 10 carry? Carried.
Shall the preamble carry? Carried.
Shall the title carry? Carried.
Shall the bill carry? Carried.
Shall I report the bill to the House? Carried. It will be done.
Thank you very much. Thank you for your co-operation -- a beautiful morning. I wish you would co-operate like this all the time.
The meeting is adjourned.
The committee adjourned at 1024.