We'll go to Mr. Dykstra.
Evidence of meeting #49 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #49 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
November 7th, 2006 / 1 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Dykstra Conservative St. Catharines, ON
I just have a question for you, Mr. Chair. One of the issues we dealt with earlier on, when FINTRAC was at committee to present a number of questions that went around the table, was with respect to trying to delve into some of the detailed analysis we would have liked to have, only to find out that a lot of this falls under disclosure and freedom of information and is therefore not accessible by the committee. I wondered how this motion would actually allow SIRC to access the varied materials or the very research and work that FINTRAC does that we are actually not allowed to see.
1 p.m.
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
I listened very carefully to Mr. Comartin, and I agree with what he said, basically, but I'm still sticking with my proposed amendment because it's better than nothing. Right now on the table we have nothing. As and when something better and more powerful comes along, then I think one might amend this bill. Until such time as there is the kind of oversight you described, which may be better than what I am proposing, we don't have that, and there's no guarantee that we will have that.
So I continue to believe that this is better than the status quo. If something better comes along, maybe we'll revisit my proposal. But I would like my proposal to stand and to have us vote on it.
1 p.m.
Bloc
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Following up on Mr. McCallum's comments, I'm not convinced either. I take my NDP colleague's arguments very seriously—I always take him very seriously—but at the same time, I have to admit that I don't have all the information I need.
So, we will vote in favour of the amendment, and if ever we see at the report stage that there is a better approach or that we are clearly off course, then we'll adjust our position. We prefer to clear the way for the amendment to be tabled and debated at the report stage. However, I have to say that we are not convinced. More than anything else, we're voting this way so as not to delay the debate.
1 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
Merci.
(Amendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 38 as amended agreed to on division)
(Clauses 39 to 47 inclusive agreed to on division)
1 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1 p.m.
Conservative
1 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I wanted to raise one additional point. I'm not sure there's any--
1 p.m.
Conservative
1 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Before we pass the bill. Mr. Chair, it may just be a point of order more than anything else.
1 p.m.
Conservative
1 p.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
It's about how best to deal with this. We did hear from the credit union movement about the difficulty a number of their agencies are having in dealing with the complexity of this bill around reporting and doing identification, even. It's really quite demanding for small branches of the credit union movement.
Mr. Chair, my question around the point of order is whether it would be appropriate that this committee do a side report on that, recommending to the House that FINTRAC, or perhaps some other government department, take on the responsibility of providing additional resources to the--
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
You don't have a point of order. There are other means you might choose to utilize if you wish to raise this issue, but during debate on this bill is not one of them.
Shall the bill carry?
1:05 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
1:05 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
Thank you, colleagues.
Some confusion has arisen in a couple of offices about the times of meetings. I encourage all members and their staff to make regular consultation with the clerk's office a part of their regime. I wish to avoid confusion at all costs. We do, as you know, sometimes change times and in the past have changed locations of meetings. I want to make sure that everyone is here whenever they possibly can be.
When's our next meeting, Madam Clerk?
It is Thursday from 10 o'clock to 1 o'clock. That's the next meeting.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Mr. Chair, just as a matter of general practice, can we do our very best not to change plans within a 24-hour window? Just where it is possible, try to provide 24 hours' notice.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Brian Pallister
We can, but how is that pertinent to anything? I notified everybody on Thursday of last week as to the time of this meeting.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
I'm not suggesting it for anything that has transpired to this point. I mean moving forward. It's fine that we may have to check regularly with the clerk's office, but where possible, try to give 24 hours' notice.