Evidence of meeting #156 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was extension.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
That's a really good suggestion. I think one of you mentioned the need for a modern Canadian industrial strategy. Maybe “industrial” is not even the right word anymore, but a smart strategy.
The last words go to Mr. Frankel and Ms. Regehr. I want to give you my remaining time to tell us what you think we need to know about the minimum basic income.
Chairperson, Basic Income Canada Network
I'm going to use this opportunity to respond to Mr. Sorbara's non-question.
We absolutely agree with him about all of the things he talked about that we've done right in Canada for seniors and for families with children. Those are unconditional programs. They work. They have a payoff in the economy. They have a payoff for people. It releases the capacity of people to do things. We need to keep doing it, because obviously we need to finish and deal with all of the unaffordability issues, the rise in poverty, the incredible insecurity people are feeling. We need to get on with it. We agree with him, but it's not done yet.
Senior Scholar, Basic Income Canada Network
I agree we're doing well in most areas, but those Canadians living below the poverty line on provincial and territorial social assistance funded through the Canada social benefit would not agree, and the Canada workers benefit is tiny. It's good to have that program, but it's not doing nearly enough for Canadian workers who are working in the marginal lower echelons of the labour market.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you.
Thank you, MP Davies.
On behalf of the finance committee, we want to thank, as I said, our excellent, great witnesses here for their testimony on our pre-budget consultations in advance of budget 2025. We really appreciate all their remarks. Those have all been captured and will make up part of our report.
Members, I do need just a minute of your time. On Bill C-365, it's a decision point on whether we bring it to the House or look for some extension on that.
I see PS Bendayan's hand up.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for raising the issue. We discussed it very briefly in the past, and I undertook to prepare a motion for the committee.
The government has already proposed the foundations for an open banking system in Canada, in budget 2024. We undertook to finalize the framework, definitely. To be honest, this is an important subject, and one that is close to my own heart.
Because it is a bill that is also of concern to the Conservatives and the Bloc, I propose that we ask the House for an extension and ask you to schedule a meeting with witnesses, so we can at least consider the bill and an open banking system for Canada. In my opinion, it deserves at least one meeting, and I think we have time to hold it this fall.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
PS Bendayan is looking for the extension.
Yes, go ahead, MP Chambers.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
We don't agree to the extension. I think what's happening here is that the government is waiting to get past the date when they will bring in their fall economic statement. If Ms. Bendayan would like to produce a motion, we could consider it at the next meeting, but we aren't prepared to give consent for an extension at this point.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Members, does anybody else wish to speak to this? Okay. I'm just going to need to suspend for....
We're suspended.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
I spoke with the clerk. We're going to a vote on the extension.
Yes, go ahead, Ms. Gray.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
Unless I didn't hear something right, I didn't hear anyone say, “I would like to move the following motion.” I don't have anything in writing, and it's not translated, so I'm not exactly sure what you're voting on.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Gray.
What I asked the members for is the decision that we have to make about reporting back to the House or looking for an extension. That is what was asked of the members, and now the members have an opportunity to vote on that.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
I made a motion. It was in French, but I can repeat it in English. I could also—
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
PS Bendayan, your headset is non-compliant. It's not an approved headset.
We go to MP Davies, please.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just want to make sure I understand what we're talking about here. I note that, at our last committee business meeting, when we were setting out the business for the fall, we indicated that there was a private member's bill that had to be reported back to the House unless we sought an adjournment. I just want to clarify.
Is that what we're talking about here, that bill?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Yes, MP Davies, that is what we are discussing. We discussed it in a previous meeting. We've come to the point at which we need to make a decision, either to the extension or the reporting.
