Evidence of meeting #21 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
I have reason to believe that perhaps not all members have received it. I just want to make sure that all members have received this amended motion.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
My apologies. I did circulate it to the clerk. Perhaps he can make sure you receive it.
I'll read it in the short term, and we'll make sure you get it in your account: “That for as long as the Emergencies Act financial requirements are in place, that the RCMP, CSIS, CBSA, Public Safety and FINTRAC provide a weekly report to the committee of the total number of persons and accounts they have flagged or requested to be frozen by regulated financial institutions, and that all federally regulated federal agencies provide a similar weekly report, of the total number of persons and accounts that have been frozen using the Emergencies Act powers; and finally, that this information be provided in a manner that respects personal privacy, national security, and operational security, and that the first report be due to the committee on March 2, 2022.”
For greater clarity, one report on behalf of the government would be satisfactory. I think what we're looking for in this committee would be the number. As we track this number, we may wish to revisit additional requests for information.
I believe if you seek it, you will find we have unanimous consent to accept this motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Chambers.
I just want to check quickly if it has been distributed to everyone, Mr. Clerk.
The Clerk
There were quite a few names missing from the distribution of Mr. Chambers and I have forwarded it to the names that were not on the distribution. If there are MPs in the meeting right now who do not have it, please let me know and I will circulate it.
I had one question for Mr. Chambers.
When you read the motion, near the end, did you say “and that all federally regulated federal agencies”? Or is it “financial agencies”?
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
My apologies. It's that “federally regulated financial agencies” provide a weekly report.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
No, it was the same question. It's “federally regulated financial agencies”, correct?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Chambers.
Is there discussion?
Mr. Clerk, are there no hands?
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
On a point of clarification, Mr. Chair, I just wanted to know what this means: “as long as the Emergencies Act financial requirements are in place”. Do we mean while the Emergencies Act is in effect?
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
That would be an appropriate interpretation, Mrs. Chatel.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Mr. Clerk, again I am flying blind, so if any other hands are raised—
NDP
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Chair, I just wanted to thank Mr. Chambers for bringing the motion forward.
I think this is good oversight information, and I think part of the important thing that it would allow us to do.... We heard today that these powers are really only meant to have been used to freeze accounts for the period from February 15 to February 22, and that the RCMP have or ought to have directed a lifting of all account freezes so far.
I think this would just give us the opportunity to get that reporting and to be able to track, as a committee, any other frozen accounts beyond the initial report in the period going forward, and that then will be an important prompt for us to begin asking questions and maybe hear again from some of the officials.
I think this is a good piece of work and a good contribution to the oversight work that we can provide as the finance committee of the House of Commons.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you for that, MP Blaikie.
I'm not sure if there are any other hands up.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Yes, I apologize. Instead of “agencies”, as agencies are usually government institutions, should we put “entities” in the last sentence there? It would be a friendly amendment. It says that all federally regulated financial “agencies” would provide a similar weekly report. Should we put “entities”?
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
So long as my colleagues around the table don't object to that amendment, I think that would provide greater clarity, yes.