Finance Committee on Oct. 4th, 2010

Evidence of meeting #31 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was debt.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Pre-budget Consultations 2010

Bill S-3, An Act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Benjamin Tal Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC World Markets

Glen Hodgson Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada

François Dupuis Vice-President , Economic Studies, Mouvement des caisses Desjardins

Carlos Leitao Chief Strategist and Chief Economist, Laurentian Bank of Canada

Bernard Brun Director, Government Relations, Mouvement des caisses Desjardins

Tim Wach Director of Legislative Development, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Alain Castonguay Senior Chief, Tax Treaties, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance

5:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you.

Monsieur Paillé.

5:45 p.m.

Bloc

Daniel Paillé Bloc Hochelaga, QC

Along the same lines, given what happened last week with the call for a vote on division, could we consider using the days set aside for the trip out east and staying here instead? That way, we would have more time.

In any case, we can discuss it during the steering committee meeting.

5:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Well, my preference as the chair would be to have a steering committee or subcommittee, but it's up to the committee as to whether they want to do that or not. That's my suggestion. I think we could find agreement on who or who not to add. I also then would want the approval of the subcommittee as to what kind of agenda we're putting forward, because we are going to have to add more meetings.

Mr. Pacetti.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

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

I would say that we did not exclude any of the witnesses, like the chair said. We have 430 witnesses: it's who we decide to have come. It's the first time that we're doing this, so it's not scientific, and that's what I've been telling the people I've been speaking to.

I think if there were an amicable agreement that we add six people.... I think that's what we're saying here. But if we need to have a steering committee, I would suggest that we have it tomorrow afternoon, from 3:30 to 4:00, and we agree then. But we have to bring it to the full committee, which means Wednesday, and the clerk has to do some planning. It's not meant to reopen the number of witnesses. I think we have a total of six additional people.

5:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Well, if the four parties are fine with the names mentioned, that's fine with me.

Mr. Mulcair, do you want to add anything?

5:50 p.m.

NDP