Finance Committee on Feb. 21st, 2019

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

—to cut them off.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

I have a point of order over here, and then we'll come to you.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, we're here this morning to discuss Bill C-82 and also, pursuant to Standing Order 81, to look at interim estimates 2019-20, votes 1 and 5 under Department of Finance, vote 1 under Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and vote 1 under Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, referred to the committee on Monday, January 28, 2019.

I've been on this committee since I was elected, and I have the privilege to serve the residents of Vaughan—Woodbridge. We're here to do the work of our residents. We are here today to analyze and to ask questions of the parliamentary secretary, Mr. Lightbound, and the officials.

Thank you for being here again. I'm sorry you're having to witness—

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Point of order.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

—such behaviour.

We're here to talk about Bill C-82 and this reference. The material that Mr. Poilievre has brought up has nothing to do with what we are here to talk about. I'd like to have a ruling on whether we need to stick to the material or whether we wander off on some fishing expedition.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay, you're getting a little beyond too.

Mr. Poilievre, you had a point of order, and then we'll go to Mr. Masse's point of order.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Ironic, isn't it, that Mr. Sorbara only wants to talk about the tax treaty now? A moment ago, he talked about numerous subjects that aren't in the treaty. He talked about unrelated tax policies. He talked about infrastructure projects. He talked about child benefits. He talked about a tax credit for workers. He talked about the small business tax rate.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Thank you.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

None of those things are in the treaty, yet, Mr. Chair, you allowed them to be discussed without interruption.

So, it is very interesting that, all of a sudden, now that the subject has become unfavourable to your party, you have slammed your gavel and behaved in a way that helps protect the Prime Minister's Office.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

What's your point of order?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

My point is that if they can talk about things not in the treaty, I can talk about things not in the treaty.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Sorbara, in his comments, talked about issues that are related to the general finances and the estimates.

Mr. Masse.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Chair, the only thing I want clarification—and I'm a guest at this committee—would be on Bill C-82 and whether international corporations are subject to that. If that's the case, then I believe it is in order.

That's the only thing that I would suggest that we look at with regard to this process of a difference of opinion on it: whether the bill actually applies to international corporations doing work abroad.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

That's a question you can raise when we get to your time, Mr. Masse.

The floor is back to you, Mr. Poilievre. Please stay on Bill C-82 and the estimates.

I know you're trying to say that I'm trying to shut this down. No, I'm not. There is a place for those questions to be raised. There are appropriate committees, if it goes before them, in terms of that issue. I believe the justice committee is dealing with that issue. There's also the House of Commons, where you can raise anything that you desire to raise. However, as stated on the agenda, this hearing today is on Bill C-82 and the estimates, and the estimates are quite broad in terms of the finances of the nation. We have a deputy minister here, as well, with Mr. Lightbound and other officials.

So, the floor is yours, and if we can stick to that, it will be great.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Well, the government and the committee are of the view that deferred prosecution agreements are a matter for this committee. That's why they put them in the budget, and that's why this committee was responsible for approving it. So, we are on topic.

The question I have is this: What was the purpose of the minister's meeting with SNC-Lavalin when he did so?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Poilievre, that question is out of order.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Actually, it's in order because it's my time and I will ask the questions I choose to ask.

[Peter Fragiskatos, London North Centre, Lib.]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Go ahead.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

I will ask the questions that I choose to ask.

Actually, sorry, I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

No, he has a point of order.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

I'm afraid, Mr. Chair, you're mistaken. I have the floor.

[An hon. member]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

No, you—