Foreign Affairs Committee on Dec. 13th, 2006

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

We're nitpicking here. Let's get on with the question.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I want to get answers; that's my privilege. I'm sorry about that. We're not nitpicking. I want to be sure that's what it means.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. McKay, I'm sorry.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I don't know whether it can be any clearer. We're trying to make the language consistent, so that Bretton Woods is the institution. All the amendment contemplates is to the priorities and policies of the Bretton Woods institutions, as to a summary of any representations made by Canadian representatives. Of course, that's exactly what we want: a summary of any representation made by Canadian representatives with respect to the Bretton Woods institutions. With that information, we will then be able to assess ODA.

I don't know what else I could do in terms of any other phrasing I could possibly use.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

I think it is clear that's what we're looking for, and people will vote accordingly. I would move this amendment and hope we can move to the question, unless people have other—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay.

Mr. Menzies.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I'd like to have a clarification here if I could, Mr. McKay. Are we going to get different ministers involved here again when we're dealing with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund? We're talking about the “competent minister”. Is this then going to be the finance minister dealing with Bretton Woods?

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Yes.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

It will be the finance minister specifically?

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

That's the way it works currently.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Okay. So just so—

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

But remember, they're advocating on behalf—

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

—whoever that particular minister is that's dealing with that.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

That's right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Bretton Woods falls under the finance minister's responsibilities.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Are we specifically saying that?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

We don't need to be.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

We don't have to because that's his area. That's his jurisdiction.

[Alexa McDonough, NDP, Halifax, NS]

It's their representative.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

All right. Are we ready for the question?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

But it says “the minister”. Once again, we're still wrestling with the “minister” issue.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

But “the minister” is previously defined as “the competent minister”.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

As “the minister of the”—

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

It's in the definitions clause.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Sorry, okay.