Finance Committee on Feb. 17th, 2022

[James Cohen]

Could you repeat the question?

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

That's no problem, Mr. Cohen.

In Bill C-8, there are financial measures that effectively give the government the ability to freeze the bank accounts of political dissenters. Do you believe the government has been transparent in discussing who will be targeted by these measures and which accounts will be frozen, and why?

[James Cohen]

I was invited here to talk about Bill C-8. I will respond to this briefly. I heard of the use of illegal blockades, but I have still to hear what the definition of that term specifically means. I would encourage the government to use a very high standard of transparency going forward.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Cohen. I do appreciate that.

Mr. Agnew, I'd like just a brief comment. If, in fact, your members felt like their assets could be exposed to government confiscation for political dissent, would that have a negative impact on them?

[Mark Agnew]

Certainly in a free and democratic society such as ours, predictability and the rule of law are absolutely critical for members. That's something I think we have heard time and time again over the last number of weeks from them on this issue.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

Thank you very much.

With the lack of transparency and the potential impact on Canadians, I would like to bring a motion. I believe it has been circulated to our members by the clerk in both official languages. If you wish, I can read it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Lawrence, as you know, it would be inadmissible at this time to bring that forward.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

How so? This is in respect of Bill C-8, which is on the economy. You know that, arguably, financial measures that can confiscate Canadians' assets might have something to do with the economy, Mr. Chair, with respect.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

It is not Bill C-8, MP Lawrence.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

You do not believe the emergency measures will affect the economy.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Lawrence, we are here discussing Bill C-8 and that motion has nothing to do with Bill C-8.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

This motion has everything to do with Bill C-8. We need to understand the economic background of why the fiscal update was put in place. This will have an impact on that, on our revenue and on our very economy.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP Lawrence, the witnesses are here for Bill C-8. This has nothing to do with Bill C-8. Your time is up, actually.

We are moving to the Liberals. We have MP Dzerowicz up for six minutes.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, was my time adjusted for the discussion and for the points of order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

It was, Mr. Lawrence. I checked with the clerk. Thank you.

We are moving to the Liberals, with Ms. Dzerowicz.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I believe there's a motion on the floor that you are ruling out of order. I think we have to see if it actually is out of order. It is pertinent to the debate we have here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

It is out of order.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

I'm going to have to challenge the chair on that because I think it is pertinent to what we're studying here right now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

There has been a challenge to the chair.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

I have a point of order.

It may be a question. What is the challenge? Is it that we are changing the agenda now? Is that what my Conservative colleagues want, to change the agenda of our meeting? I'm very confused right now, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

MP McLean, what is the point of order and what is—

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

The point of order is a challenge to the chair. I'm sure you heard that, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

It is a challenge to the chair on a motion that is inadmissible.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

That you ruled inadmissible....

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Fonseca]

I ruled it inadmissible.