I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 150 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the committee is meeting to discuss the changes to capital gains and corresponding measures announced in budget 2024.
Before we begin, I'd like to ask all members and other participants in the room to consult the cards on the table for guidelines to prevent audio feedback incidents.
Please take note of the following preventative measures that are in place to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. Only use a black, approved earpiece. The former gray earpieces must no longer be used. Keep your earpiece away from all microphones at all times. When you're not using your earpiece, place it face down on the sticker placed on the table for this purpose. Thank you for your co-operation.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to Standing Order 15.1.
In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I'm informing the committee that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting and are ready to go.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the members and witnesses.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For members in the room, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking orders best we can. We appreciate your understanding in this regard.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair.
I'd like to now welcome our witnesses. We do have a full house. We have six witnesses before us.
We are hearing from Professor Luc Godbout, chair in taxation and public finance at the Université de Sherbrooke, who is appearing as an individual.
As an individual, we have Larry Stefanec, plumber and business owner.
From the Canadian Labour Congress, we have Bea Bruske, president. Joining President Bruske, we have senior economist D.T. Cochrane.
From Canadians for Tax Fairness, we have researcher and policy analyst Silas Xuereb.
From Centre for Future Work, we have economist, director and no stranger to this committee, Jim Stanford, joining us.
From the Wheat Growers Association, we have its president, Gunter Jochum.
Now we are going to hear from the individuals. We're going to start with Professor Godbout, please, for five minutes.