Finance Committee on June 12th, 2008

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

I'm moving this motion because there are obviously issues to be dealt with on this bill. I've asked for an extension so we could deal with it. I don't mind dealing with Mr. Easter. I'm not opposed to helping.... I have volunteer firefighters, volunteer policemen in my community. I'm willing to be there to help them out. But there are issues with the wording, the legality of the bill that we have in front of us.

The mover of the bill admits that somebody else is going to look after that, CRA or Revenue Canada--they'll work it out. Well, that's not what the volunteers in this country are looking for. I think as legislators we could be a lot more specific, a lot more detailed, and provide something that will be implementable based on what it is.

That's why I'm supporting that we hollow it out right now. We bring it back and we look at proper amendments and proper wording.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Okay.

Mr. Pacetti.

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

Just quickly, for the record, this bill has been around for ages. The last report that was made to the House was in November 2005. The department is well aware of the bill. It's been hanging around. As I said, we've had more than a couple of months to address any amendments.

I think Mr. Easter not only did a good job, he did a great job. He was eloquent. He was able to answer all the questions.

I think the best way to address your motion, Mr. Wallace, is by voting for this bill. Let's go to clause-by-clause.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

We're now going to move the motion that's on the floor.

(Motion negatived)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

We'll go to clause-by-clause.

Shall clause 1 carry?

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

On a point of order, I submitted two amendments. I think I'm the one who's supposed to introduce them. I just spoke to the parliamentary secretary asking if they were

in order. I have spoken to people from the Department of Finance and I feel that both these amendments are in order.

So if we can just consider them while we do the clause-by-clause--they're just technical amendments--is that okay?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Exactly.

So you're making the amendment to clause 1?

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

Yes. Clause 1 will be amended by changing the paragraph (y) to paragraph (z). It's just a technical amendment. Lines 6 to 8 will be replaced with:

the end of paragraph (y) and by adding the following after paragraph (z):

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

It's a technical amendment. You have the amendment before you.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

On division.

(Amendment agreed to on division)

(Clause 1 as amended agreed to on division)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Shall clause 2 carry?

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

Mr. Chairman, again, clause 2 should be amended for the appropriate changes that were incurred in the tax act after the tabling of the bill. So if you look at the proposed--

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

You're making that amendment?

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

I'm making that amendment. It's to change paragraph 60(z) to 60(z.1). It's just to be in sync with the amendment we made in clause 1.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Okay. I'll call the question on the amendment.

(Amendment agreed to on division)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

Shall clause 2 carry as amended?

[Yves Gingras]

Mr. Chair, I have with me a lawyer from the Department of Finance who would like to help you. There seems to be some confusion that we would like to clear up.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

The amendment is already adopted. I haven't finished the clause. The one amendment is there. Let's hear the information.

Go ahead.

[Madam Venetia Putureanu, Tax Poilcy Officer, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance]

Instead of (z.1), it should be (z.2). So it's not (z) and (z.1); it should be (z.1) and (z.2).

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

I believe that's what it is on the second amendment.

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

Do you have a copy?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

I believe that's the amendment we have.

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

Can you take 30 seconds and look at it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Merrifield]

We'll take a quick look at it, but I believe that's what we have here.

[Yves Gingras]

That is what we have.