Finance Committee on Nov. 25th, 2013

Evidence of meeting #10 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was quebec.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures

MPs speaking

Also speaking

David Spiro Dentons Canada LLP, As an Individual

Yvon Bolduc Chief Executive Officer, Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec

Jack Mintz Director and Palmer Chair in Public Policy, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, As an Individual

Michael Colborne Partner, Thorsteinssons LLP

Gabriel Hayos Vice-President, Taxation, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada

Joyce Reynolds Executive Vice-President, Government Affairs, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

François-William Simard Director, Strategy and Economic Affairs, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

Thomas Hayes President and Chief Executive Officer, GrowthWorks Atlantic Ltd.

Chris Arsenault President, iNovia Capital Inc.

John Bergenske Executive Director, Wildsight

Brenda Baxter Director General, Workplace Directorate, Labour Program, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

Ted Cook Senior Legislative Chief, Tax Legislation Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Armine Yalnizyan Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Monique Moreau Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Michelle Gauthier Vice-President, Public Policy and Community Engagement, Imagine Canada

Marie-Hélène Arruda Coordinator, Mouvement autonome et solidaire des sans-emploi (réseau québécois)

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

I know, but it's important, too, to determine the credibility of witnesses who are appearing before you.

7:55 p.m.

Voices

Oh, oh!

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Order, order.

On this, the witnesses are asked to appear here. They're guests of all the committee members and especially of the Chair, so we shall treat them as such.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

How much time do I have left?

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

You have about a minute.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Okay.

As far as you're concerned, then, lowering corporate taxes to what we have them set at now, at 15%, is a bad thing? You would advocate increasing them. Is that correct?

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

I don't think I have necessarily said that, though I have said in the past personally...and I can't speak for all of my colleagues, because we have diversity of opinion in our organization. But I have said personally that—

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Are you here on your own behalf or on behalf of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives?

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

I am here on behalf of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, but no individual carries the entire voice, because as a think tank we do actually have diversity of opinion.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Okay. No, I understand that. So you're here speaking on behalf of the Centre for Policy Alternatives—

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

To the best of my ability, yes.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

--but you cannot give the position of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

I think most of the people who are associated with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives would think that further reductions in corporate taxes are not—

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Further reductions. Current levels of—

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, last question. A brief response, please.

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

The last question being, would I be for or against an increase?

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Yes.

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

In corporate taxation? Personally, yes. Corporately, yes.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Not personally. Does the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives stand for an increase in the current corporate taxes?

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

Sir, personally, yes. And corporately, yes.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

Please answer my question.

7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

I just did. Twice now.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON

No, you didn't. You answered for yourself. I'm asking for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives for which you are appearing here.

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Order, order!

November 25th, 2013 / 7:55 p.m.

Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Armine Yalnizyan

I said personally, yes, and corporately, yes. And that's the third time I'm saying the same thing now, sir.