Finance Committee on Dec. 7th, 2006

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

It's like you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

We conclude with

a brief question from Mr. Pacetti.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

As a quick question, Ms. Roveto, regarding the cutting of the various advisory committees, does that affect the work of your board?

As well, I'm going to ask Mr. Dorais about the cut from 7% to 6%. I know you sent us some documentation regarding some publicity that was done on this. But how is the cut from 7% down to 6% going? Have the businesses been aware? Have there been any problems in terms of administering the 7% to 6%?

Could I please have Ms. Roveto answer the question on the advisory committees?

[Connie Roveto]

The board really had no involvement with the advisory committees, and as the minister said, it was the minister's decision. It was more something that provided input to management, but not directly to the board of management.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Thank you.

[Michel Dorais]

As for the other part of the question, I'm not aware of any issue now resulting from the reduction of the GST rate.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

Merci beaucoup, madame Roveto, et monsieur Dorais, and the Scottish contingent as well. We thank you all for being here.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

Mr. Paquette, please.

[Pierre Paquette, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

I am introducing a motion concerning the reimbursement of the GST to school boards in Ontario and Quebec. This motion was already approved by our committee, on the recommendation of a Conservative member. I would thus assume that my colleagues will not see any problems with it, but I would not necessarily want to have the matter discussed before the Christmas recess.

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

Merci beaucoup, monsieur Paquette.

We accept your notice of motion, and if there are any problems we'll get back to you immediately.

Mr. Pacetti.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Yes, just quickly, if we could get a copy of the draft report before our meeting on Tuesday, it would be a little bit easier when we have our meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

That's the plan.

I remind the members that on Tuesday, not only will you receive the draft report but we'll also complete the CRA draft report.

Mr. Wallace had a question.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

A question and a comment.

I noticed in the paper that the report submitted to the House of Commons was released early. I know I didn't do it. I just want to say on the record that I'm very disappointed that happened. I think there was a commitment that it would actually be illegal to do that, and that this committee was to put that stuff together and that it would become available once it was in the House. But I understand, through reading the press, that it was available in advance. It did not come from me, and as a new member of this committee, I'm very disappointed by that early release.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Brian Pallister]

I assure Mr. Wallace that the report was in no way, shape or form available in advance—although members may have discussed it with certain journalists. That, of course, is a disappointment, Mr. Wallace, for all members of the committee, I'm sure.

Before we adjourn, it will be my last opportunity to thank the committee members and staff for all their work over the last several weeks and months. If someone had told me five months ago that I'd enjoy this job, I'd have laughed. But I have. I have appreciated the support of the staff most of all, and the committee members as well.

I thank them, and I wish you all, sincerely, the very best for the upcoming holidays and the best to you and your families, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year, if not sooner.

We are adjourned.