Finance Committee on May 26th, 2008

Evidence of meeting #44 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was surplus.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-50, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 26, 2008 and to enact provisions to preserve the fiscal plan set out in that budget

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Erin Weir Economist, United Steelworkers

Joyce Reynolds Executive Vice-President, Government Affairs, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Ian Russell President and Chief Executive Officer, Investment Industry Association of Canada

Garth Whyte Executive Vice-President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Jean-Luc Trahan President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec

Barbara Amsden Director, Capital Markets, Investment Industry Association of Canada

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Jean-François Pagé

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

So it has to be dealt with three days prior to Parliament rising. That's the essence of it.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

The last supply day.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

The last supply day--which is...?

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

We don't know.

Fair enough. That's the explanation of the motion and the timeline on it.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

What happens to our witnesses for the asset-backed commercial paper issue?

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

They're fine. We would suspend that for next week anyway, and then we will have a steering committee and hopefully we'll get some direction on that.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON

What happens on Wednesday?

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

We haven't called any witnesses. We're blank for Wednesday. That's why this fits very well, so it's not a problem.

All right.

5:20 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

If the motion is passed, I would have another question.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

No, no. We're going to call for the question on the motion now. I was just going to say, when you're winning, you shouldn't be talking.

(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Mr. Crête.

5:20 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

I would like to talk about the steering committee. Next week, Mr. McCallum, Mr. Mulcair and myself will be accompanying Mr. Menzies abroad.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Mr. Menzies.

5:25 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

So if we could have the session on Wednesday this week, after our...

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

The steering committee on Wednesday?

5:25 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

That could be after Wednesday's, Thursday's, or even Friday's meeting, but there are three people who will be absent on the following week.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Three people won't be here next week.

5:25 p.m.

Bloc

Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

Next week, Mr. Menzies will be representing the Minister of Finance in Paris, and I know that Mr. McCallum, Mr. Mulcair and myself will be accompanying him.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Let's try it for Thursday morning. Fair enough. We'll make it work one way or the other.

The meeting is adjourned.