Industry Committee on June 12th, 2008

Evidence of meeting #46 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was astronomy.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Canadian Science and Technology

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Guy Nelson Co-Chair, Industry, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Empire Industries Ltd., Coalition for Canadian Astronomy

Art McDonald Director, Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) Institute, SNOLAB

Martin Taylor President and Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Networks Canada, University of Victoria

Pekka Sinervo Co-Chair, Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA) and Past-Dean of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Coalition for Canadian Astronomy

1:50 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Then after the House adjourns, around 7 p.m.

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, does that work, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday? We'll find a room.

We need to decide on the travel, and we also need to decide on Bill C-454 in terms of the timing of the work plan.

Mr. McTeague, you wanted to make a point on energy.

June 12th, 2008 / 1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Chair, more headlines this morning are suggesting that a barrel of oil will be at $250 by December. Energy costs are going through the roof. I realize that we have set a date of August 27 to discuss this urgent matter, and we may be able to dovetail it with Bill C-454. I'm suggesting that if it is at all possible, with consent, we as a committee try to at least give a couple of hours to what is a growing concern.

I don't know if it's speculators on the markets or if it's in fact rabid competition for scare resources that's driving this, but clearly there has been no Canadian response, very little in the way of anything by this committee, and certainly nothing from a governmental point of view, addressing what I think is the most critical issue facing the country, regardless of where we are in the political spectrum.

I leave it to the committee that we try to have at least a day well before that. I realize that some of us have great obligations, but if we could at least find a day well before August 27, which is about two and a half months from now, I suggest we try to delve into that for at least a day. I realize it's very onerous on members, but I think all of us are getting the letters; all of us are getting concerns.

As for the issue of Bill C-454, we're prepared to go as soon as possible, even if that means sitting during the summer.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you.

Mr. Van Kesteren.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON

Mr. Stanton has left, but I know some of us have made some commitments for the summer. I'd want to check on those first before we decide something.

I'm suggesting that maybe we could have an opportunity to look at our schedules and then report to whoever will be at that subcommittee and let the subcommittee make that decision.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

That would be on Monday night.

Is that okay, Mr. McTeague?

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

That's fine, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Van Kesteren.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Go ahead, Madame Brunelle.

1:55 p.m.

Bloc

Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC

That will be very difficult for me. I have a very tight schedule until the end of August. However, I am prepared to discuss this in the subcommittee. It won't be easy, though.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

The last item I had, members, was operational budget requests in conjunction with our study on science and technology in Canada. You have it before you. The amount requested is $39,750.

Mr. McTeague, do you want to move this?

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Chair, I'll move that the committee approve the operational budget request of $39,750. Is that correct?

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Yes. Thank you.

Mr. Telegdi, do you have a question?

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Andrew Telegdi Liberal Kitchener—Waterloo, ON

I just have a suggestion that at some point you folks look at going to Waterloo.

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

We will be. We're going in September.

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Andrew Telegdi Liberal Kitchener—Waterloo, ON

Oh, good.

Might I suggest to you some places you might go once you get to Waterloo?

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Actually, if you have any suggestions, please submit them to the clerk. We're considering the second part of the travel at subcommittee on Monday evening.

1:55 p.m.

Liberal

Dan McTeague Liberal Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Chair, it's very important, given that Mr. Telegdi has suggested we be there, that Mr. Telegdi also be responsible for the logistics as well as the payment of the meal for our presence there that evening.

1:55 p.m.

An hon. member

Hear, hear!

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

All in favour?

1:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

All in favour of Mr. Teague's motion to accept the operational budget, please signify.

(Motion agreed to)

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Have a wonderful weekend, ladies and gentlemen.

The meeting is adjourned.