Welcome, everyone.
We are resuming meeting number 121 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. Pursuant to the order of reference of Thursday, November 23, 2023, the committee is commencing its study of Bill C-56, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act.
As indicated in the memo that was sent out last week, I'd like to remind members that amendments to the bill must be submitted to the clerk of the committee by noon tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28. It is important for members to note that, pursuant to the order adopted by the House on Thursday, November 23, the noon deadline is firm. This means any amendments submitted to the clerk after the deadline and any amendments moved from the floor during the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill will not be considered by the committee. It is important that, when submitting amendments, members also send an XML version of the amendment file. This will ensure that the legislative clerks are able to quickly put together the package of amendments, which will be a benefit to all members of the committee.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Order 15.1. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking.
There is interpretation. For those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to the interpreters and can cause serious injuries. The most common cause of sound feedback is an earpiece worn too close to the microphone. We therefore ask all participants to exercise a high degree of caution when handling the earpiece, especially when your microphone or your neighbour's microphone is turned on.
In order to prevent incidents and safeguard the hearing health of the interpreters, I invite participants to ensure that they speak into the microphone into which their headset is plugged and avoid manipulating the earbuds by placing them on the table away from the microphone when they are not in use.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
I'd now like to welcome our witnesses. With us today is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland. Welcome, Minister. I see that you're wearing your Ukraine pin colours. Thank you for commemorating the Holodomor this weekend with the community.
Joining you today, from the Department of Finance, is the assistant deputy minister of the tax policy branch, Miodrag Jovanovic.
The floor is yours, Minister, for opening remarks.