Evidence of meeting #10 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was interest.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Tim Wach  Director of Legislative Development, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Gérard Lalonde  Director, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Carlos Achadinha  Legislative Chief, Sales Tax Division, Public Sector Bodies, Department of Finance
Pierre Mercille  Senior Legislative Chief, Sales Tax Division, GST Legislation, Department of Finance

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Well, we do have our schedule set, so if we extend over a longer period of time, we're still adding additional meetings.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

Or we could reduce the number of witnesses.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Even if we sit into June on the bill, we're still adding additional meetings.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

So why don't we reduce the number of witnesses?

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC

That's a great idea.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I just want direction on this first.

Monsieur Paillé.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Daniel Paillé Bloc Hochelaga, QC

I agree with my colleague from the Liberal Party. Indeed, we do ask good questions. Thank you very much, Mr. Wallace. It is because we have studied the Bill and because we know taxation. Like Mr. Pacetti, I would agree with the Committee first hearing witnesses from Quebec and Canada since they might be able to show the government why some of the proposals in his Bill should be changed. Then, we might hear the people from the Department of Finance, whom we want respectfully to question.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I appreciate everyone's comments. The problem is there's no consensus here.

Mr. Hiebert, did you want to comment?

1 p.m.

Conservative

Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC

Yes, I was just going to comment on the timing of the meetings. Mr. McCallum--

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Really, with respect, I just want to have.... If I can't get direction on this, we can address it this afternoon as well. There's another committee at one o'clock here, so....

1 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

Well, that said, bring it up at the next meeting.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I'm going to encourage members to speak prior to the meeting this afternoon. We'll try to get direction to the Department of Finance and other departments as to which way we want to go on April 27, but I'd prefer to have a consensus of the committee if we can. We'll probably have to have a vote this afternoon.

Go ahead, Monsieur Carrier.

1 p.m.

Bloc

Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC

Mr. Chair, you are looking for a consensus but I believe that most of us think we should hear the witnesses first. Their testimony might raise new questions that might be important. Experience shows that we would prefer meeting with the department people after having heard the witnesses, in order to clarify various points. We might vote on this and that would avoid you having to determine if there is a consensus or not. Most of us agree with hearing the public servants at the end.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I didn't put this forward to have a divisive motion, so I'm going to ask folks to speak between now and the meeting this afternoon, and if we need a vote this afternoon we'll take it at that time. Okay?

Thank you all for being with us here today.

The meeting is adjourned.