Finance Committee on March 26th, 2013

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Once again, we come back to the question of time. We are always busy, whether with prebudget consultations or budget implementation bills. Our schedule is always very full. Everyone here recognizes that. The fact remains that, last year, despite the busy schedule, the committee had the time to hold 12 meetings to study charitable donations. That is an important question, I agree.

But I think that, despite its busy schedule, the committee could decide to do this study, a study that deals with this very important question that is a major concern for all Canadians. The question is whether the committee considers that dealing with household debt is a priority, yes or no. If it is, we will be able to find a way to build it into our schedule.

I encourage my colleagues to decide whether they consider that it is important, indeed a priority, to study this question. Personally, I think that the question is a priority. If they do not consider it appropriate for the committee to deal with it, they will vote no, but they will have to answer to Canadians for that decision.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you.

Unless I have further speakers I will call the question on Ms. Nash's motion.

(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)

Colleagues, we will adjourn this meeting and then—oh, sorry.

Ms. McLeod.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I don't know procedurally, Mr. Chair, but reflecting on some earlier conversation I ask that we request the CRA to table or to forward to the clerk their response to the Parliamentary Budget Officer regarding the tax gap and put that into the file for the purposes of our study on tax evasion and the use of tax havens.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Procedurally, if a member asks me as a chair I will ask the CRA. That's typically how I've done it in the past. I'm happy to ask on behalf of the committee.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Okay. The response from the CRA to the PBO for the purposes of our tax haven evasion budget would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

We will ask the CRA for that.

Thank you.

Mr. Côté.

[Raymond Côté, NDP, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to submit a notice of motion to the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Is this a new motion?

[Raymond Côté, NDP, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Yes, it is a new one.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay.

You can read it into the record then.

[Raymond Côté, NDP, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

The motion reads as follows:That the Standing Committee on Finance undertake a study on the impact of increased customs duties proposed in Budget 2013 on the price gap between Canada and the United States and on policy measures that could be taken to reduce this gap, and that the committee report its findings to the House.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay.

We'll take that as a notice of motion.

We will give it the 48-hour period.

I want my colleagues to stay for a couple of minutes. We're going to clear the room of all officials who can't be here for the subcommittee, and make changes in the room. If you stay in your seats for two minutes then I'll have a request of you.

The meeting is adjourned.