Finance Committee on Nov. 14th, 2016

Evidence of meeting #55 for Finance in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was enhancement.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Subject Matter of Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act and the Income Tax Act

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Robert-Falcon Ouellette

Steven MacKinnon

Jennifer O'Connell

Francesco Sorbara

François-Philippe Champagne

Gérard Deltell

Also speaking

June Dewetering Committee Researcher

Glenn Purves General Director, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Michel Montambeault Director, Canadian Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Office of the Chief Actuary, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

Pierre LeBlanc Director, Personal Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Michel Millette Managing Director, Office of the Chief Actuary, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

Claude Lavoie Director, Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division, Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Marianna Giordano Director, CPP Policy and Legislation, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development

Conservative

Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB

It would always be good for the minister to appear in front of the committee, especially on the topic that is on the table now, Bill C-29. It's very important for both the committee and the minister to have that discussion. Hopefully the minister's time permits that. I think it would be a great idea to have that. I support it too.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Mr. Albas, go ahead.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I think that either the 24th or the 28th.... I understand that Mr. Caron has requested that the finance minister be there. Perhaps we could ask the minister to see what his availability would be. I do know that we have these other studies and reports, etc., but again, the estimates are one of the most important priorities for parliamentarians. I would say that we should do whatever we can to move aside the time so that we can have a thorough estimates process.

I haven't done it before with this committee, Mr. Chair, and I really look forward to a very thoughtful process.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

It should be noted too, Guy, that the minister is not confirmed as yet on the 17th, and I understand he's having some difficulty with that date.

We don't have to decide it right now. I take it that it's the will of the committee to do a hearing on the estimates. We'll have to try to find a way to fit it in, and we'll work with the minister's office on that. Is that agreeable?

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Is there anybody opposed to holding hearings on witnesses—not even you, Mr. Parliamentary Secretary? It might be you we have to put up there to answer questions. Are you ready for that?

Liberal

François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

That's fine, sir. I do that every day in the House.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Sunny ways, my friends, sunny ways.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Okay. Is there anything else on business?

Mr. Caron.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Thank you.

I have one last question about Bill C-29. I'd like to know whether the Liberals and Conservatives still have no plans to call any witnesses for the committee's study. On our side, we have witnesses we would like to invite.

I had suggested that the committee invite witnesses who could speak to the technical aspects, not those who would argue in favour of or against the bill. The focus would be on the more technical considerations, such as the changes to the Bank Act and with regard to the

common reporting standards.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

I thought we had talked about it and decided to have just one meeting day.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

We had agreed on a number of witnesses on Bill C-29.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Does anyone object to my submitting a list of witnesses who could speak to the technical considerations regarding the points I just mentioned? I would have that list in by tomorrow.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Yes.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

I don't think the deadline is even tomorrow, Guy.

Is the deadline tomorrow?

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Yes.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Oh, it is tomorrow. Yes, it is.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

For the technical witnesses—

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

it was 5-2-1.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

What does that mean?

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter

Just hold on—

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

It was 5-2-1.

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

Therefore, you are going to invite five witnesses, and we'll invite two witnesses, and another witness on this side. Is that right?

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

I thought—

NDP

Guy Caron NDP Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC

We are following the usual structure, then, where we invite—