Industry Committee on Nov. 7th, 2006

Evidence of meeting #27 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was countries.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Main Estimates 2006-2007: Votes 1, 5 and 10 under ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY, Votes 1 and 5 under ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 under INDUSTRY, Votes 1 and 5 under WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Richard Dicerni Deputy Minister, Department of Industry

Carole Lacombe Acting President, Canadian Space Agency

Karin Zabel Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Canadian Tourism Commission

Virendra Jha Vice-President, Science, Technology and Programs, Canadian Space Agency

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

So your department wasn't even consulted with regard to the potential study.

5:35 p.m.

Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Canadian Tourism Commission

Karin Zabel

I know that Industry Canada did do a study, and we have some of the results of that study. But I can't speak to anything other than the information I have, which are the results of the study.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Okay, because there was another study that came out. I don't know what part of the Department of Industry was doing it then. That was going to be at least $500,000, but apparently the minister said today it was $2 million. We'll have to clarify in terms of.... I'm a little bit surprised that it wasn't coming through the Canadian Tourism Commission's channels.

One quick question to the Canadian Space Agency. Mr. Rajotte has asked most of the questions that I think are relevant here, but other than the United States and Europe, would there be other invited countries in this initiative being proposed by President Bush?

5:35 p.m.

Acting President, Canadian Space Agency

Carole Lacombe

Yes, actually, the NASA-led consultations have 13 countries participating in discussions around the global exploration strategy.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

And some of those countries are outside of Europe and Canada?

5:35 p.m.

Acting President, Canadian Space Agency

Carole Lacombe

Yes. There are mostly European countries—

5:35 p.m.

Dr. Virendra Jha Vice-President, Science, Technology and Programs, Canadian Space Agency

Yes, mostly European, including India and China.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

All right, thank you.

That's all, Mr. Chair.

5:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you very much, Mr. Masse.

Thank you very much for being with us today. Again, I apologize for the very short time period for presentations and for questions and comments. Perhaps in the future we could have you back here before the committee to discuss the overall strategy on tourism and space.

Thank you for coming before us today.

The meeting is now adjourned.