Evidence of meeting #19 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was let's.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We have the clock at beyond 3:30 and we have a quorum. With that, we'll call the meeting to order.
We have some fairly interesting discussion to take place. We have four motions we want to deal with immediately, and then we'll go to an in camera session with regard to our report and the finalization of our report on the pre-budget consultation.
With that, Mr. Crête, do you have a motion on the floor? Is that what you want to speak to? Go ahead.
3:35 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Mr. Turner is not here but you received the text of the motion I am submitting. I don't know if it is necessary to reread it in its entirety. In fact, the purpose of this motion is that the committee recommend to the government, in view “of the serious crisis in the forestry and manufacturing sectors, that it implement [...] an improved assistance plan[...]” I will let you read the entire motion yourselves.
This motion was tabled within the prescribed time period, and personally, I would like us to examine it as quickly as possible. We can debate it immediately if you think it advisable. If Mr. Turner arrives, depending on what happens, we can then devote our time to his motions and proceed to study the report.
I move the adoption of the motion I have introduced.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
We all have the motion on the floor, which Mr. Crête has officially moved. We've had the proper notification of that motion. We'll open the floor for discussion on that motion.
Mr. McKay.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
In the interest of trying to accommodate the concerns expressed in the motion by Mr. Crête, I wonder whether he would entertain what I would hope he would consider to be a friendly motion. Next week we commence a study of his concerns with respect to forestry and manufacturing, and he could incorporate that with Mr. Turner's motion, so that both studies would commence simultaneously.
Mr. Crête's motion calls for a significant expenditure on the part of the Government of Canada and may well be warranted. Probably, given the laissez-faire approach of this government, it may well be an appropriate motion and appropriate sums of money that he has allocated. But it seems to me that we should at least receive witnesses, at least study this matter, and that it should be connected to Mr. Turner's motion simultaneously.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
3:35 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
This motion is independent from Mr. Turner's motion. Of course, I would like to see us vote on it as quickly as possible because of the urgency of the situation.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
I just wonder if Mr. McKay could specify which of Mr. Turner's motions he's implying....
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
I don't see that it has anything to do with your motion.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
Mr. Turner's motion was presented on December 11, so it certainly can be considered today. It calls for hearings on the subject of income trusts. Our proposal would be to combine the income trust hearings with hearings described by Mr. Crête. I think if Mr. Crête insists on a vote on his motion at this moment, then we cannot support it. But after we finish with his motion and we get on to Mr. Turner's motion, he might want to join forces to have hearings on his issues and on income trusts at the same time, starting next week.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
I don't have a problem with the form of the motion. I'm just a bit uncomfortable passing a motion without undertaking an actual study. I think Mr. Crête has a distinct advantage because he was on the industry committee and prepared a report. But without a study, I don't see how we can approve a plan at $1.5 billion. So if we can somehow find a way to amend this in a friendly fashion and undertake a study before we recommend to the government that $1.5 billion be disbursed.... I don't see how we can--
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
I'm not going to go too long before I call for a vote.
Mr. Crête, do you want to finish off?
3:35 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
I would like to remind the members of the committee that before Christmas, we held hearings on the value of the dollar and its effect on the economy. The federal government has announced a program destined to come to the assistance of the regions affected by the crisis in the forestry and manufacturing sectors. It seems to me that all of the criteria have been met.
If the committee is ready to vote on the motion now, I am willing to do so. If we have to hold a hearing to have it passed, let's do so, but we won't study it for months. At the latest, the government must take what we are suggesting into account in its next budget. There are some very reasonable things here. This doesn't mean that the government will approve everything to the letter. But that as it may, as a committee, we consider this relevant.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Just for the committee, Mr. Crête, how long a study would you envision on this?
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
For my part, I am ready to vote immediately. However, if the committee absolutely wants to hear witnesses, one or two additional hearings will be necessary.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
You're saying one day or two days. Okay, fair enough. So we're hearing that there would be a maximum of a couple of meetings on it.
Everyone understands what we're voting on. We have a motion in front of us.
I'm ready to call the vote. All in favour?
(Motion agreed to)
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Now we'll move on. I believe we have three other notices of motion. They're on the floor. Mr. Turner has a couple, and we have one from Mr. Dykstra, who is not here.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
I asked the clerk about this earlier, and if it is the will of the committee....
Everybody has received it. Is there any objection?
Mr. Dykstra will be here in a few minutes, but we have a motion.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
Let's leave it to the last. Let's deal with Mr. Turner's first.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Okay. Is that fair enough? He's supposed to be here in a few minutes.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative