Finance Committee on May 27th, 2008

Evidence of meeting #45 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clause.

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

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee Mr. Jean-François Pagé

Rosaline Frith Director General, Canada Student Loans Program, Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

Why?

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Because the amendment seeks to force the Minister of Finance to authorize a transfer of this kind without the input of the ministers responsible for the program, so I deem it contrary to the principle of the bill.

You're welcome to introduce the second one.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

The second one, again, is on clause 131, proposed section 80. This is critically important. It is:

(2) The payments shall be made from the accumulated surplus and shall not be refunded.

This is dealing with the dollar amount from the workers.

Before I launch into my speech, is this in order?

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

No.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

Oh, shocking!

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

This is inadmissible. It's contrary to the principle of the bill and infringes on the terms and conditions of the royal recommendation.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

That's why they can't get their money back.

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

It's against the principle.

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

That's unfair.

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

We will now go to the main motion.

(Clauses 131 to 164 inclusive agreed to)

11:10 a.m.

Bloc

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

I move that we pass everything that is left up to clause 164 and that we vote on the very last question only. I suggest that we agree to everything on division until the very last question when you ask if the bill shall carry.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

It's applied right to the title.

I see no opposition to that. It's carried right to the title.

Shall the bill carry?

11:15 a.m.

NDP

Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON

This is a recorded vote.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

All right.

(Bill C-50 agreed to: yeas 4; nays 3; abstentions 3)

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

Shall I report the bill to the House?

11:15 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

11:15 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

I will do that tomorrow.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.