Evidence of meeting #6 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was budget.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
If the committee so desires, we have Liaison Committee meetings, and I can bring up the fact that this committee in particular feels that the expenses for Toronto and Quebec City are too high. If this committee wants me to raise that, I will.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Or at least get some background from the logistics people as to what the cost is.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
It's my understanding that this is a maximum. Whoever comes here will have to submit their plane ticket and hotel....
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
1:05 p.m.
NDP
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
I just hope that giving Mr. Menzies this information will not prevent us from passing this request for funds. I really see no problem with it. Furthermore, as you said yourself, this is a maximum, and it will be in compliance with existing rules about distance travelled, for example. This is not a big deal. I think it is important we pass this.
1:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I'm going to call for the committee to adopt this budget request, and then I will go to the Liaison Committee or we will go to the logistics people and ask for a further explanation in the future as to why these amounts are selected.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
My understanding, Mr. Wallace, is that you are not moving your motion at this time.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Mr. Mulcair, you have the floor for your motion, if you want to introduce your motion and a rationale for its adoption.
1:10 p.m.
NDP
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The notice of motion reads as follows:
That the Standing Committee on Finance report to the House that an order be adopted to separate Part 11 of Bill C-10 as a separate bill.
Let me explain what I mean. Part 11 has to do with so-called pay equity in public sector compensation. First, as you heard this morning, this part does not involve any additional spending or savings for the government. It is therefore not a budgetary measure. Second, if the objective is to speed up the process, it would be a complete failure.
There will actually be more court challenges, and this will slow down the process further. We are suggesting that the bill be split. If we do this, we may find out that, contrary to what I said this morning, the Liberals have some principles, if they vote to split off this part of the bill. If that happens, I will be the first to apologize in public. However, you will not be surprised to hear that I am not holding my breath.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Merci, Monsieur Mulcair.
I have Mr. Menzies on the list to speak.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
Mr. Chair, I would like to move that the motion now be put and that we vote on this.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I have Monsieur Laforest on the speaking list. Do you want to hear from Monsieur Laforest, or do you want the motion to be put?
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
1:10 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The Bloc Québécois will be supporting this motion. I think it is important. We understood very clearly this morning that the bill is not the best way of dealing with pay equity. In fact, this will create injustices. We heard that this bill was similar to the Quebec legislation. As Ms. Asselin said, Quebec has proactive legislation. In other words, there is an attempt to deal with problems ahead of time, rather than waiting to deal with them later. That is the difference between proactive and non-proactive legislation. I think Mr. Mulcair's motion will eventually make it possible for the government to come forward with a bill similar to the one in Quebec. That is not what we have at the moment. We therefore agree with the motion.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay, thank you.
I know members want to get to question period, so I'll allow Mr. Pacetti, and then we'll call the vote.
1:10 p.m.
Liberal
Massimo Pacetti Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
Just quickly, I haven't had much time to look at the motion and I'm not sure how I'm going to be voting. Hearing the arguments from Mr. Mulcair and the Bloc, I'm not convinced that I should be voting for the motion, but I haven't heard an argument why I should be voting against. I'd like to hear why the government has decided to put this type of clause in this budget bill.
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you, Mr. Pacetti.
Mr. Menzies has asked that the question be put, so I call the question.
(Motion negatived)
1:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I declare the motion defeated.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. We will see you at 3:30. We have the minister here for an hour, from 3:30 to 4:30.
Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.
