Finance Committee on Oct. 31st, 2012

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I would like to clarify one point. We are a little surprised, but still pleased to see that there is the will to call on other committees in the context of this study. But I would like to know if there have been discussions with the chairs of the other committees about the possibility of their handling it.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Ms. Glover, do you want to address this point, please?

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Sure. We all respect that committees are their own masters of what they study; that's why we've included in the motion that the chair of the finance committee write to the chairs of these standing committees as promptly as possible to ask for their consideration.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Yes, if this motion passes, I would write to those chairs, and then it's up to those committees whether they study it or not. If those committees, for instance, chose not to study those clauses, then obviously this committee would deal with those clauses. There has been a lot of interest in other committees. I think that members of all parties are interested in moving on with something like this process.

Okay. Mr. Hoback, go ahead, please.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

I think it's important that we deal with this today. In the planning process, if we start delaying the decision, it backlogs everything, not only in our committee but also in the other committees that may be involved. I think it's very important that we deal with this today.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay. Thank you.

Ms. Nash, go ahead, please.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

If we're dealing with this at the end of the meeting, that would be great. I have a question about going forward, because we have another meeting tomorrow, according to our schedule. My question is whether the minister will be coming to that meeting tomorrow, because we haven't seen a list of witnesses.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay. I'll get Ms. Glover to address that, please.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Unfortunately, the minister wasn't available this week. The minister is being asked to come next week.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Okay, he'll be coming, but not until next week. All right.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Yes, and whether this motion passes or not, my intention would be to start with parts 1, 2, and 3. Whether this motion passes or not, the finance committee will be dealing with those parts.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

All right. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

All right.

Monsieur Mai, go ahead.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Thank you again for the motion.

But I would like to clarify something. Will the number and length of the committee meetings remain the same?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

It's up to the committee if the committee wants to add meetings. With respect to the calendar, though, if this motion is adopted, the calendar would change in the sense that there's one meeting booked. I believe it's after the deadline in the motion. If members wish to discuss.... We may wish to adjust it depending on whether the motion passes or not.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I want to understand the implication of this motion in terms of the schedule we have already. You're saying that if we adopt this motion, a meeting we have after that will not be held. Is that...?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Yes, we pre-booked a meeting for November 29, so if this motion passes, we would have to report back by November 21 at 11:59 p.m. If we don't deal with all the clauses by that time, this motion asks the chair to put all the clauses at that time, November 21, so the meeting on November 29 would not occur if this motion passes.

Now, if members feel that another meeting should be added, that's a possibility. Does that address your question?

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Yes. We'll talk about it a bit later once we....

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Madam Glover.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

I was just going to suggest to the committee that we do have a subcommittee which has been booked, and that perhaps we could discuss the calendar in subcommittee. That might alleviate some concerns.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Yes, we can certainly do that.

Go ahead, Ms. Nash.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

I just have one other clarification. This document anticipates potential amendments coming from other committees. What would be the process for those amendments to be recognized and proposed at this committee?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Do you want to speak to that, Ms. Glover?

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Sure. As the motion indicates, they would have to send their potential recommendations—their amendments—to this committee well before consideration of amendments so that we can consider them.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Are they just deemed to be proposed then, or to be moved? How would that work? Would the committee chair move the motions?