Evidence of meeting #157 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was caregivers.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Are further exemptions going to undermine the system of a price on pollution? Please answer yes or no.
Manager, Buildings, Pembina Institute, Green Budget Coalition
That's a tough question to answer, and I don't think I have something solid for you. However, what we want to see is that there is that sort of review of all of those related mechanisms and that we're looking at performance standards, output-based performance standards, prices on pollution and how all of them work together to meet the needs we need to meet, but also, of course, take into consideration any sort of undue consequences.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you.
I heard you refer to another colleague who's not here with you today. There is an opportunity to submit additional testimony via writing. Would you be kind enough to do that so that we have the full benefit of your submissions?
I would like to ask my friend Mr. Roy a question.
Mr. Roy, I am of course taking note of your recommendation. We worked together when I was working with the tourism sector during the pandemic. It was very important for the government to ensure that the event sector, in particular, would be able to survive the pandemic. As you saw, we were there by your side.
You mentioned that smaller festivals and events were also at the heart of your submission. I think that's important, since there are a number of small festivals in Quebec in general, and that's especially the case in my riding of Outremont.
Do you think small festivals and events should be included more? What would your recommendation be for events that are growing?
Executive Director, Festivals and Major Events Canada
Thank you, Ms. Bendayan. I do applaud your commitment to the tourism industry. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to talk to each other often, and I thank you for that.
Again, I think this is really a complement. It's really important—and some provinces are already doing this—to consider the festival and event file from two perspectives. On the one hand, it must be considered from a cultural and social perspective, through Canadian Heritage. As I was saying, there are obviously problems, including the fact that the amounts are never permanent. This is an area where the government can intervene in the sector. On the other hand, another way to intervene is to look at the issue from an economic and tourism perspective. These two approaches complement each other. Certain festivals are sometimes supported for their cultural, social or community importance and for the role they play in the community. At other times, we can look at tourism results, recognize that an event has produced exceptional results in that regard, support it and ensure that we attract tourists.
Earlier, I talked about a kind of general upgrade to the sector. That would make certain small events—such as those held in your riding, for example—more attractive in the Montreal region. Small events that are well established in the Montreal region would attract more tourists to Quebec. The same is true for events like the Toronto International Film Festival or the Calgary Stampede, which could then attract more international tourists.
It's really about ensuring that each event grows and develops normally.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Monsieur Roy.
Mr. Janeiro, in the little time I have left, perhaps you would like to speak to your proposal to convert the caregiver credit to a refundable benefit.
Director, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
Thank you for the opportunity.
We would say that this is the down payment towards the national caregiving strategy. It's a commitment that's on the books. We've costed it at approximately $70 million. It is real money, but these are not significant, enormous sums of federal funds. This would have the immediate effect of putting some cash into the pockets of caregivers, many of whom are struggling.
If we can't support our caregivers, we're really in trouble. We need them to be okay. A little bit of help will really go a long way.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you.
I'm sorry that I don't have time to ask questions of all our excellent witnesses, but I believe we are unanimous in believing that this was a wonderful panel.
Thank you for taking the time to come to the finance committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, PS Bendayan.
Members, we have two budgets that I had sent to everybody. I just need a thumbs-up on that from everybody. Is that okay?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Okay. Good. That's great.
On behalf of all of us on this finance committee, I want to thank our expert witnesses for their testimony here.
PS Bendayan, I see your hand up.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would just like to respond to the motion that was put on notice, I believe, by my colleague Mr. Chambers. He at least read it into the record.
It is the position of the government that we would like to hear from witnesses on open banking. It is something that we care about. It is something that we are moving on. It is actually a Conservative private member's bill, so I find it surprising that the Conservatives don't want to discuss it. However, given the filibuster that occurred at our last meeting, I am prepared to invite open banking witnesses during the pre-budget consultations.
I would like to simply put it on the record that, when we had a previous discussion on this during the committee business meeting, it was because colleagues from opposition parties had not had a chance to read the private member's bill that we deferred that discussion to a future meeting. In the spirit of collaboration, I hope this finds acceptance. Obviously, the Conservative members will be happy that we are not discussing it...and that it is not deferred to a future meeting. I think we can all get on with the important work of the finance committee as a result.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, PS Bendayan.
Witnesses may not have understood that, but anyway, you can go back and look at the proceedings from our last meeting, and you can catch them on ParlVU.
Again, we want to thank our expert witnesses for their testimony here, for our pre-budget consultation in advance of budget 2025. We wish you the best with the rest of your evening. Thank you very much, everyone.
We're adjourned.