Finance Committee on May 27th, 2008

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

But the Bloc and the NDP were against that decision.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Thank you very much for your confidence. We'll move on to number 3512823.

You're welcome to introduce that.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

This again deals with directors being appointed with the approval of the standing committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

This one is beyond the scope of the bill as well and I deem it out of order.

We'll now move on to the next one, and you're welcome to introduce that one. It's the first one in your three-page package.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Thank you.

This is the result of any public consultations held by the board with respect to the premium rates. It's always good to consult with the public, don't you think?

(Amendment negatived)

(Clauses 121 to 123 inclusive agreed to)

(On clause 124)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Now we're into clause 124, and there is an amendment--

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

It's reference number 3512796. In clause 124 we are amending lines 1 to 4 on page 115, and we are replacing lines 28 to 37 on page 114 with the following.... If you want me to look at line 28....

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Actually, once you've introduced this, I will rule that this is contrary to the principles of the bill.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

For what reason, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

The amendment seeks to remove the new reporting structure but leaves intact the previous reporting structure, so I see it as going contrary to the principle of the bill and I'll deem it out of order.

So we are into a vote. Are you prepared to apply the vote before, from there down to 127?

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

We have other amendments to 127, yes.

(Clauses 124 to 126 inclusive agreed to)

(On clause 127)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Now we're on clause 127, and we have a series of amendments. You're free to proceed with 3512788.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

This one is replacing line 24 on page 116.

Line 24 on page 116 is this whole section regarding how the act is going to be...recommendations. So the line we want to include is:

Insurance Account and, as long as that balance is positive, contributions may not be increased, except as may be necessary to finance enhanced benefits.

Mr. Chairman, this is extremely important because we know the number of people--

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Before you get into explaining the importance of it, you've introduced it, and I appreciate that, but I will deem this as being contrary to the principle of the bill because the amendment seeks to add to that concept by creating instructions to be based upon the positive balance in the employment insurance account. So we'll deem it contrary to the principle of the bill.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Can you repeat the reasons, because...in what section is it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Bill C-50 provides the framework for the setting of an annual premium rate.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

The dollar amount, right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

This framework consists of several factors. One factor is that the board shall not take into account the balance of the employment insurance account. The amendment seeks to add to that concept, so I see it as going beyond the principle of the bill.

You're welcome to introduce your second amendment.

Let's go with NDP-5 now, because I think they're in order. We had to catch up to the ones that came in recently. NDP-5 might be easier for you to follow now.

Monsieur Crête.

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

If an amendment is out of order, perhaps you could say so at the outset so that we do not have to debate it for five minutes before it is declared out of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

It's difficult for me to rule them out of order until they're introduced. That's why I'm allowing them to be introduced and then very quickly ruling on them.

We'll introduce NDP-5.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

This one is replacing line 6 on page 117 with “following three years”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

I've ruled this one in order. We will ask for a vote on this.

(Amendment negatived)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

You're now welcome to introduce NDP-6.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

I believe that one is again dealing with clause 127. We are amending it after line 26 on page 117 by adding the following, which is a new subsection (f):

a plan to pay to the Board any amounts from the Employment Insurance Account when that account has--in addition to the amount necessary to avoid any increase in contributions during a prolonged economic slowdown--a positive balance according to the Chief Actuary.

Mr. Chair, do you want to rule before I speak to it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Yes, I'll rule on it.