Government Operations Committee on March 27th, 2024

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

—and that is the issue I have with you today.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

If I could respond, I will address that.

We are meeting for the 2024-25 main estimates, which the committee has agreed to. That is what our meeting is for today, and that is what I noted when I made my opening statement in saying that under Standing Order 81(4), the committee is meeting to commence the consideration of the main estimates 2024-25.

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Why did you schedule this meeting today during a constituency week? May I ask, Mr. Chair, so that folks watching can know this?

When is the committee's study on the estimates due?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Kusmierczyk, we are meeting for the estimates. I have the prerogative to call a meeting on the estimates that the committee agreed to. We are now going to turn—

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

When is it due, sir?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That is beside the point, Mr. Kusmierczyk.

We are now going to hear—

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

It's May 31.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

That's nice.

We're now going to turn things over to our—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I want to clarify something for this committee.

You've mentioned the main estimates. I'll remind you that this committee is responsible for vote 1 under the Canada Post Corporation, vote 1 under the Canada School of Public Service, vote 1 under the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Mr. Drouin, I'm going to interrupt you, because—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I'm hoping that Premier Moe will be able to answer questions about the Canada Post Corporation. I'm not sure he will be able to, because that's not his responsibility.

Again, we're asking for—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I will quote once, and then we're going to get to—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

You did not get the consent of the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

—Mr. Moe on the main estimates. Under the CRA, the distribution of fuel charges is going from $6.8 billion—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

This committee is not responsible for the CRA.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

—to $9.5 billion.

It's part of the main estimates, and we are studying the main estimates.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I was a long-time member of this committee before my appearance here. I understand what this committee is responsible for, and you're misleading the committee.

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

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, you've been very patient—

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

The CRA goes to finance, and you know damn well that's where it goes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

First of all, refrain from the language, Mr. Drouin.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Pardon my French.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

You're not going to make friends with that one.

Mr. Lawrence.

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

Mr. Chair, you've been very patient. I could recite numerous times that Peter Fonseca, chair of the finance committee, has adjourned and called meetings without instructions.

I could rattle them off, Francis.

This is ridiculous. Let's move on. We have Premier Moe here. I know you guys don't want to talk about the carbon tax and you don't want to hear from the people of Saskatchewan, but Canadians do.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

Thanks.

Premier Moe, we're going to turn to—

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order. This is going to be my last point of order, but it needs to be made.