Finance Committee on Oct. 16th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We'll call the meeting to order with our new gavel. We couldn't get through airport security with our gavel in Ottawa, so they seized it on us.

In any event, welcome, witnesses. I know we seem to be starting a little earlier, but the witnesses here are perhaps ready for their presentations.

We have at each session on the road what we call an open-mike session, which gives those who didn't have a chance to appear formally before the committee with their presentations an opportunity to come to the mike and state their concerns, whatever is on their mind, and do it in, hopefully, a minute. There are no questions from members, but their remarks go on the record and are considered as part of the pre-budget consultation.

We have eight, and we'll start with Leigh Anne Swayne.

[Dr. Leigh Anne Swayne, As an Individual]

Good morning. My name is Dr. Leigh Anne Swayne. I'm a neuroscientist and professor in the division of medical sciences at the University of Victoria.

My productive research program is funded primarily from grants from the federal tri-agency. The sort of fundamental science research we do is critical to understanding how the brain works in health and disease. It will ultimately help to design more effective and safe treatments for neurological disorders affecting Canadians.

History has shown that fundamental research underlies the vast majority of major breakthroughs. Despite this, non-targeted federal tri-council grant programs remain sorely under-resourced. I ask today therefore that you support the recommendations of Canada's Fundamental Science Review to substantially increase investments in non-targeted funding programs in 2019.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you, Leigh Anne.

Catherine Choi, welcome.

[Catherine Choi, As an Individual]

Good morning. My name is Catherine Choi. I'm a graduate student at Dr. Leigh Anne Swayne's lab at the University of Victoria. For me as a graduate student in neuroscience, research funding and training awards make a big impact on my ability to conduct my research and support my goal of becoming a neuroscientist.

I believe that Canada can be an example for world-class training and support in scientific research. However, since 2007, the number of Canada Graduate Scholarships has not increased, and the value of these scholarship awards has not changed since 2003.

For Canada to continue to attract and retain talented trainees, this needs to change. The number and value of these awards should reflect Canada's commitment to our future scientists and the growth of our research industry. I hope the government will increase funding for scientific research and training.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much, Catherine.

Ms. Patricia Baye is next.

Welcome, Patricia.

[Patricia Baye, As an Individual]

Thank you and good morning to everybody.

I'm here representing the National Association of Federal Retirees, which has branches all across Canada, and I am from the branch here in Victoria, which has approximately 4,000 members. On behalf of the branch, there are a couple of items I would like to point out to the pre-budget committee for consideration.

As a seniors group, we would like to look after not just seniors from our group but also all Canadian seniors. We would like the committee to consider having a comprehensive national seniors strategy for the provinces and territories. We would like you to address affordable and appropriate housing to promote friendly communities and combat the isolation of seniors and ageism.

We would also like to see that you ensure robust and sustainable social services and improve the focus on seniors' housing, community care and caregivers. We would also like you to consider creating a feasible and affordable pharmacare program for all Canadians. Also, we would like you to guarantee income security for all Canadians and ensure that retirement savings regimes are effective and that Canadian retirement security needs are met to assist Canadians in building improved retirement security.

We would like the government to honour the promises made to retirees when pension plans change. We would also like you to immediately withdraw Bill C-27 and to continue to improve the Canada Pension Plan and the old age security.

We would hope that this report would be out by the spring so we can look at it and see everything that has gone, and we hope too that this government will resolve by 2019 the Phoenix pay system so that all issues are cleared up and that all retirees and employees are properly compensated.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We have David Stinson, and next after David will be Randall Joynt.

Go ahead.

[David Stinson, As an Individual]

Good morning. I also am from the National Association of Federal Retirees. I represent the branch in Sidney, north of here. We have about 1,200 members in our group.

I'm not going to repeat what Patricia has said. You already have some of that information in cards that were presented to you this morning, and you've heard this in other presentations to the committee, but I would ask that the committee consider trying to remedy an item of discrimination that was imposed almost a century ago on certain family members for certain retirees.

It has to do with something colloquially known as the “gold digger clauses” in the superannuation act. I would draw to your attention the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the RCMP Superannuation Act, which both say that if a member of the forces or the RCMP marries after the age of 60, his wife or conjugal partner, as the case may be, cannot receive half his pension, as would be the case if he had married at 59 years and 11 months. In the case of the military, this has been in force since, I think, 1920. It is discrimination on the basis of age, and it is something that should be taken out of the act.

Mr. Morneau is well aware of this one. I would add that it has also been before Parliament once, in 2011.

Thank you for your attention. I have left a copy of my notes with the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

That will be distributed to the committee, David.

Randall Joynt, welcome.

[Randall Joynt, As an Individual]

Good morning. My name is Randy Joynt. I'm with the Royal and McPherson Theatres.

I want to thank you for travelling all the way to Victoria, particularly as I know that you've been on our other coast recently. In the performing arts industry, that's what's known as a “tour”.

Now, a well-run tour is incredibly important for performing arts presenters because it allows them to amortize production costs over a number of performances and also be very efficient with travel expenses—in effect, to be more productive. It also allows venues on Vancouver Island, for example, to bring in performances from Toronto or Montreal instead of bringing them in on a one-off basis.

Touring networks are very important, and they're in dire need of support, which is why I ask you today to recommend an increase of $30 million to the Canada arts presentation fund. This Canadian Heritage program is incredibly important to our industry and it allows access to the arts for folks in our part of the country.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much, Randall.

Janelle Hatch is next and will be followed by Lori Nolt.

[Janelle Hatch, As an Individual]

Good morning. My name is Janelle Hatch. I am here today to speak passionately about a topic I feel strongly about because I am a mother, a dietitian and an employee of the health system and school sector. I am a member of Dietitians of Canada, one of more than 40 members of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, which is coordinated by Food Secure Canada.

Approximately 20% of students in Canada receive a meal or snack at school. These programs are largely volunteer-run and have multiple funders, including parents, schools, community groups, businesses, municipalities, territories and provinces.

Evidence shows that a national universal healthy school food program would increase children's consumption of healthy foods, reduce their risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, improve educational outcomes, and increase graduation rates. Also, a national school food program has the potential to create jobs and grow local economies by investing in local agriculture and food businesses.

A national school food program has been recommended by the Senate social affairs committee, a former House finance committee, the Ontario Healthy Kids Panel and the former chief health officer, as well as in Senator Art Eggleton's June Senate motion number 358.

Today we are asking your government to invest $360 million in your next budget to partner with provinces, territories, municipalities, community groups, parents and other stakeholders in funding a cost-shared program estimated at $1.8 billion. Your support will make a positive difference in the lives of our schoolchildren.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much.

Lori Nolt, go ahead, please.

[Lori Nolt, As an Individual]

Thank you.

My name is Lori Nolt, and I'm representing the Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

CASFAA represents many personnel across Canadian post-secondary institutions. We're dedicated advocates in helping Canadian students achieve financial wellness and success. To build Canada's economic growth and ensure competitiveness, we believe that the following three recommendations can help ensure student success.

First, we should allow students adequate time to establish stability before beginning the regime of student loan repayments. This can be achieved by reinstating the Canada student loan interest subsidy for the six months following completion of studies. Second, we should empower post-secondary students to acquire loans though the Canada student loan program, with mandatory entrance and exit counselling. Third, we should reduce the educational gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians by providing a Canada student loan grant program for indigenous students.

CASFAA believes that these measures will not only help to instill and develop financial literacy and awareness in our students but also position them to immediately engage in our economy when they have completed school.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much, Lori.

Maclaren Forrest is next and she will be followed by Catharine Robertson. That will be it for the open mikes.

Go ahead, Ms. Forrest.

[Maclaren Forrest, As an Individual]

Good morning, honourable members.

My name is Maclaren Forrest, and I'm a youth advocate with World Vision Canada. I believe in equality, peace and prosperity for all.

I am fortunate to have been raised in Canada with access to health care, a good education and a safe community to grow up in. However, I note that this is not the reality for millions of boys and girls around the world who lack these basic human rights and services. I've seen the impact of Canada's investments abroad. Far fewer people are dying around the world and communities are thriving thanks to international development efforts. Canadians can be proud of this.

However, there is still a lot to be done. The needs are great. International assistance has a reputation for being about charity, but it's about much more than that. It's about strengthening the global community, promoting democratic values and creating sustainable opportunities. It's not just for the world; it's also good for Canada. On average, every Canadian dollar spent on aid provides a return of $1.19 in Canadian exports. These investments in aid benefit middle-class families such as mine.

I'm encouraged by the recent increases in international assistance, but we need to be ambitious, and ambitious goals require ambitious financing. Therefore, I urge you to recommend annual, long-term increases in international assistance in your report to Parliament on budget 2019.

Thank you for your time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much.

Catharine Robertson is next.

[Catharine Robertson, As an Individual]

Good morning.

My name is Catharine Robertson, and I'm on the board of directors with the community futures program of B.C.

I'm here today to reinforce what you'll hear when the CF network of Canada meets with you folks in Winnipeg on Thursday. We're encouraging you to consider our recommendations to support the valuable program of community futures in which we serve the economies of rural Canada.

As you may know, the community futures program was started by the federal government 30 years ago. We're a vibrant program that helps keep rural communities strong. We do that in partnership with local governments, provincial governments, and mostly through volunteers who support our organization. In B.C. alone, there are 14,000 hours given by our volunteers who dedicate their time, their expertise and their knowledge to our program because they understand the meaningful impact of community futures.

We're here to support business growth and economic development projects. We get involved in supporting our regional and rural economy, seizing opportunities and sometimes removing barriers for business growth for our traditional business sectors. Primarily through our loans program, we help great businesses grow businesses, which, in turn, create jobs in rural Canada. There are 260 offices across the country. There are 34 in B.C., of which four specifically serve indigenous populations.

We kindly ask that you consider our recommendations.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you very much.

Thank you to all, and we'll start the more formal part of our meeting. As everyone knows, these are the pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2019 budget. Before we start, just to give you a little bit of an indication of the makeup of the committee, we are missing one member on the government side this morning, who missed his flight.

First, I'm Wayne Easter, member of Parliament for the riding of Malpeque, Prince Edward Island. If you get any of those good oysters out here, they actually do get across the Rockies and get here.

Mr. McLeod.

[Michael McLeod, Liberal, Northwest Territories, NT]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good morning, everyone. Thank you, all, for coming out this morning.

My name is Michael McLeod. I represent the Northwest Territories riding, a riding that's bigger than Alberta and Saskatchewan combined. I'm the lone MP for that riding.

[Kim Rudd, Northumberland—Peterborough South, Lib.]

Thank you, and welcome.

I'm Kim Rudd. I'm the member of Parliament for Northumberland—Peterborough South, and for context, that's a rural riding in southeastern Ontario.

Welcome.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

I'm Pat Kelly, member of Parliament for Calgary Rocky Ridge.

[Matt Jeneroux, Edmonton Riverbend, CPC]

I'm Matt Jeneroux, member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend. There are two of us from Alberta, so we can take Northwest Territories today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Peter.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I'm Peter Julian, from New Westminster—Burnaby. I'm the NDP vice-chair of the committee and I'm glad to be here on the other side of the pond, and I will note that of all the places we've been to across the country, this is the first place that has given us chocolates.

We're happy to have a legislative assembly providing chocolate for each member.