Evidence of meeting #121 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was unions.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Ted Cook  Senior Legislative Chief, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Geoff Trueman  Director, Business Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Sean Keenan  Director, Personal Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Pierre Mercille  Senior Legislative Chief, Sales Tax Division, GST Legislation, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Carlos Achadinha  Legislative Chief, Sales Tax Division, Public Sector Bodies, Department of Finance
Dean Beyea  Director, International Trade Policy Division, Department of Finance
Patrick Halley  Chief, Tariffs and Market Acess, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance
Helen McElroy  Acting Director, Health Human Resources Policy Directorate, Health Canada
Alison McDermott  Acting Director General, Program Coordination Branch, Department of Industry
Raquel Fragoso Peters  Director, Policy and Liaison, Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services, Department of Industry
Elisha Ram  Director, Microeconomic Policy Analysis, Department of Finance
Mary Taylor  Director, Habitat Conservation Management, Department of the Environment
Diane Cofsky  Director, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Nipun Vats  Director, Federal-Provincial Relations Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
Nancy Milroy-Swainson  Director General, Office for Disability Issues, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Nicolas Marion  Chief, Capital Markets and International Affairs, Securities Policies Division, Department of Finance
Soren Halverson  Senior Chief, Corporate Finance and Asset Management, Department of Finance
Janet Kavanagh  Director, Ports Policy, Department of Transport
Denis Racine  Executive Director, Major Events and Celebrations, Department of Canadian Heritage

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Yes, I would like to respond to this point of order. Mr. Chair, considering that the government has a majority and has decided to include this kind of a measure in a budget implementation bill, we have to live with its decisions. Frankly, I do not understand my colleague's complaint at all.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, thank you. I think the concern is that with the officials it is primarily to get clarification and information, and then we have our political debate with other panels and then ultimately at clause-by-clause consideration. I think given the time constraints—we have less than five minutes, and I have three divisions that other members wish to ask questions on.

Are there any further questions?

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Chair, it is clearly all about money, which guides actions. That was what my questions for Mr. Racine were about. I would like to continue in the same vein.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay. You have 30 seconds, but it's going to be 10:45 in four minutes, so I'm not sure....

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

It is very short.

Mr. Racine, thank you for attempting to answer my questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have passed on my messages.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you.

On division 15, are there any questions?

On division 14?

Could we bring Mr. Racine back? This will be the last round.

Mr. Hsu, please.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Ted Hsu Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Thank you.

In the transfer of the responsibility for the National Holocaust Monument from the National Capital Commission to the Minister of Heritage, it seems that the requirement to maintain the monument has been deleted.

I am wondering if you could clarify this omission.

10:40 a.m.

Executive Director, Major Events and Celebrations, Department of Canadian Heritage

Denis Racine

Yes, certainly.

When a monument is designed, the whole design phase is the responsibility of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Once the monument has been unveiled, its maintenance becomes the responsibility of the NCC—as is currently the case. The NCC will continue to be responsible for monument maintenance.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Do you wish to ask a question?

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Yes.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Mr. Côté, go ahead.

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

I want to come back to my colleague's question.

In the budget approval phase for the National Holocaust Monument of Canada, the NCC has a very rigorous protocol. Why is that monument being treated differently from other monuments? The NCC will be responsible for the maintenance and, consequently, any future costs. Isn't that a bit strange?

10:40 a.m.

Executive Director, Major Events and Celebrations, Department of Canadian Heritage

Denis Racine

The National Holocaust Monument Act entrusted this project to the minister in charge of the NCC. Since the responsibility for promoting the capital includes monument design and creation, that responsibility will be transferred to the Department of Canadian Heritage. However, the NCC will still be in charge of maintaining the properties, parks and sites under its responsibility—including any urban landscapes and monuments on those properties. That is the difference between the responsibilities of the department and those of the NCC.

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

At first, the minister in charge of the NCC did have the responsibility of designing and creating that monument. So the roles have been reversed.

10:40 a.m.

Executive Director, Major Events and Celebrations, Department of Canadian Heritage

Denis Racine

That will be the responsibility of the team being transferred from the National Capital Commission to the Department of Canadian Heritage. In addition, the ministerial responsibility is changing.

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Thank you Mr. Racine. I will ask my more political questions in the House.

Thank you.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you very much, Mr. Racine.

Colleagues, we have about one minute left. I don't know that you'd want to start another division.

At this point I'm going to thank our officials. I apologize for not getting through all the divisions today. If there are any questions, members can obviously submit them to the various departments.

We will see you a week from Tuesday.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.