Evidence of meeting #52 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was inquiry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
Acting Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Competition Bureau, Legal Services, Department of Industry
That's correct. And again, the act should set out those parameters, giving meaning to the words “grounds exist”. Currently in the bill as drafted there are no parameters to define and give meaning to the word “grounds”.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
Could you point to where else in the competition law we would have grounds that aren't defined?
12:40 p.m.
Acting Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Competition Bureau, Legal Services, Department of Industry
No, there are no situations in the current Competition Act that would give such complete discretion to the Commissioner of Competition.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
Just to clarify too, when we say “industry”, there is no limitation here as to what industry. Basically, this would give the commissioner grounds to launch an investigation of any industry in Canada for any reason that he or she deems necessary.
12:40 p.m.
Acting Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Competition Bureau, Legal Services, Department of Industry
That's absolutely correct.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
It's completely undefined.
Okay. I just want to make sure that we all know what we're voting on here today.
That's enough questions for me.
12:40 p.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Chair, in light of everything that has been said, I would be prepared to move on to the vote.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
That's fine. We'll call for a recorded vote.
(Clause 1 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
It's the amended Competition Act. I think we're okay.
12:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
Could we get a recorded vote, please?
(Bill C-452 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
12:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:45 p.m.
An hon. member
On division.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
