Industry Committee on Nov. 28th, 2007

[Paule Brunelle, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

We understand that this motion was introduced in other committees, in particular the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. We can understand why it is appropriate to introduce it, but, as a member of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, I have been contacted by organizations because the situation of mining companies in developing countries is subject to caution.

It is normal for the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to take clear action signifying that the situation was serious enough for a report to be prepared. This motion simply asks that we report to the House without delay because the matter is urgent, because it's known to the public and because there is talk about it in the media. It's beginning to come out.

I think we have a duty to address this concern. We are going to second the motion. I also think it is very clear that we are asking the government to report without delay. This committee will not be hearing from witnesses on this subject.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Merci.

I have no more speakers, so I will proceed to a vote.

(Motion negatived: nays 7; yeas 3)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

I declare the motion defeated.

Members, I just wanted to touch on two other items. The first item is the fact that we're having challenges in terms of the witness list that was given. I want to thank all members for submitting witnesses for both studies, the Canadian dollar and the services sector, but we're having a challenge getting some witnesses. We were hoping to have three witnesses today, but we could only have one here today. Secondly, we're having a challenge getting all the witnesses in the number of meetings we have allocated to the two studies.

So what I'm asking, and what the vice-chair, Mr. McTeague, has recommended, is that we have a steering committee meeting perhaps Monday late in the afternoon or Tuesday in the afternoon to decide on future business in terms of the two studies and whether we want to continue them and what we want to do with respect to a report.

Do I have agreement from members that we can set up a meeting?

[An hon member]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Is Monday late afternoon okay for members?

[An hon. member]

Perfect.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

I take that as agreement. There are no comments on that, so we'll try to set that up for late Monday afternoon.

Mr. Simard.

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Mr. Chair, I would just like a clarification on the work plan. I know that these meetings on Wednesdays are to study the impact of the increase in the dollar. Are we limited to the service sector, or are we talking about the impact of the dollar in all sectors? I wasn't clear on what Dan had in mind here.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

That's a good question. The Tuesday and Thursday meetings are for the service sector specifically. The Wednesday meetings are on the Canadian dollar and the Canadian economy in general, overall. You can ask manufacturing, or whichever industry you want to focus on. It's a very general motion.

[Raymond Simard, Liberal, Saint Boniface, MB]

Okay, thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

I have one last brief item with respect to blues, but I'm going to ask that we go in camera. This should be a five-minute discussion, but I'm advised that perhaps we should make this decision in camera.

I'm going to suspend for two seconds, and if we could ask all those who are not members or assistants to members to please exit the room, we will just go in camera for a brief time.

[Proceedings continue in camera]