Evidence of meeting #52 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, Mr. Ste‑Marie.
I see Mr. D'Sa's hand up.
Go ahead, Mr. D'Sa.
5:50 p.m.
Adviser, Tax Policy, Department of Finance
I'm sorry. We weren't sure whether it was okay for officials to jump in with this earlier.
It relates to BQ-4. We think that may have also amended the wrong section. BQ-4 appears to amend the “taken for use” provisions of the Canadian wine exemption, but we think it intended to amend both clause 131 and clause 132 for it to work as intended.
It's actually the package provisions in clause 132—section 135 of the Excise Act, 2001—that apply to the consumer market. As passed, BQ-4 would apply only to “taken for use” cider and mead. That's cider and mead consumed on site by the producer or something like that and not packaged for the consumer market.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, Mr. D'Sa.
After conferring again with the legislative clerk, I'll let you know, members, that we would require unanimous consent if we were to go back to BQ-4 and open that back up.
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
You're asking for unanimous consent on a correction of a proposal by...?
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
Chair, could I request a short suspension so that we can discuss?
5:55 p.m.
Liberal
6 p.m.
Liberal
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I believe I have a solution for the impasse, but I'll require another two minutes. If I could ask for the committee's ability to suspend for another two minutes, I have an outstanding text message that I need to respond to. If you could give us two minutes, I think I have a resolution that will get us past this.
6 p.m.
Liberal
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
There was a barrage of text messages exchanged between different members. Obviously, we're in a position where—full cards on the table—we're not necessarily in favour of either of these going through. That being said, I am inclined to ensure that there is procedural fairness, given what the will of the committee is and given how important I think it is for constructive work to continue at this committee.
I would seek unanimous consent to allow both the Bloc-4 amendment and the CPC amendment to correct the dates to stand, that the results of the Bloc-4 motion stand as voted on, with Liberal members voting against, and then we continue debate on CPC-5.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
Right, but wasn't there an issue around its being drafted incorrectly?
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
There was. We came to learn that it should have been in clause 130, based on what the officials have to say.
Is that correct?
Go ahead, Mr. D'Sa.
6:05 p.m.
Adviser, Tax Policy, Department of Finance
I've been further advised by colleagues at Justice that both motions are also incomplete.
BQ-4 is trying to amend clause 131, but it should actually amend both clause 131 and clause 132.
It's the same thing with CPC-5. It is trying to amend clause 133, but it actually means to amend clause 131 and clause 132.
I don't know procedurally what it means if the motion is incomplete on the committee's end, but this is what I've been advised.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Members, we have 10 minutes left. The legislative clerk has informed me that we would need a corrected written version to be able to inform the members of the committee before we could move forward.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
If I may, Mr. Chair, given that there are I think 12 minutes left now, I think we've had a very productive day. There will have to be some work done on this specifically, so perhaps we can leave this where it is now and come back tomorrow to pick it up. That will give members from various parties time to talk. If we need to draft something, we can work on that as well.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
MP Beech, are you putting forward a motion that the committee now adjourn?
