Evidence of meeting #24 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was young.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Pedro Antunes  Executive Director and Deputy Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada
Armine Yalnizyan  Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Tammy Schirle  Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, As an Individual
Finn Poschmann  Vice-President, Research, C.D. Howe Institute
Victoria Lennox  Chief Executive Officer, Startup Canada

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I call this meeting to order.

This is the 24th meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance.

Colleagues, before we get to the continuation of our study of youth employment, I want to welcome a new member to our committee, Mr. Nathan Cullen.

Welcome to our committee, Mr. Cullen.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Thank you very much, Chair.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

We should also recognize publicly and thank Peggy Nash for her many years of service to this committee. It was most appreciated.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I think we should also congratulate Mr. Brison. I think it's the first time we've seen him since he—

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Congratulations, best wishes to you.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Thank you very much.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

I know it will convince you of the benefits of income splitting as a policy.

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

We're just kidding. We can be funny at finance once in a while.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Not before we invest in a national early learning and child care program....

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Okay, touché.

The first order of the day, then, pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), will be the election of the vice-chair.

Mr. Saxton.

March 25th, 2014 / 3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC

I move to nominate Nathan Cullen as vice-chair.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

We have Mr. Cullen nominated for vice-chair.

Are there any further nominations?

(Motion agreed to)

I welcome Mr. Nathan Cullen as the vice-chair of the finance committee. Congratulations.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Thanks, Chair.

I know we have important work to do. I'm uncomfortable with all the clapping and getting along. This is not at all like House leaders meetings and I'm somewhat off-put, but I love the tone.

Thank you very much for the welcome and for your kind words for Peggy as well. She was a very commendable finance critic.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you very much and welcome, again, Mr. Cullen.

Colleagues, we will now move to our regular orders of the day. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) we will continue our study of youth employment in Canada.

We are expecting to have three witnesses here at the committee room and we have two by video conference.

First of all, from the Conference Board of Canada, we have the executive director and deputy chief economist, Mr. Pedro Antunes.

Am I pronouncing that correctly?

3:35 p.m.

Pedro Antunes Executive Director and Deputy Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada

That's very good. Thank you.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Welcome.

From the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, we have the senior economist. We welcome back Ms. Armine Yalnizyan.

3:35 p.m.

Armine Yalnizyan Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Thank you.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

We are expecting Ms. Victoria Lennox, the CEO of Startup Canada. We hope she can join us during the meeting.

We also welcome, by video conference, from Kitchener, Ontario, the associate professor from Wilfrid Laurier University, Ms. Tammy Schirle.

Welcome, Ms. Schirle. Can you hear me okay?

3:35 p.m.

Dr. Tammy Schirle Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, As an Individual

Yes, I can.

Can you hear me now?

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Yes, we can hear you. Welcome to the committee, Ms. Schirle.

By video conference from Toronto, from the C.D. Howe Institute, we have Mr. Finn Poschmann, the vice-president.

Welcome, Mr. Poschmann. Can you hear me okay?

3:35 p.m.

Finn Poschmann Vice-President, Research, C.D. Howe Institute

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I can hear you.

May I return the favour and bid welcome to Mr. Cullen, as well.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you. We appreciate that.

You will each have five minutes for an opening statement.

We will start with the Conference Board of Canada, for your opening remarks.