Evidence of meeting #45 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was businesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Yes, we could do that.
The vote is at 4:38. I'm going to suggest that we reconvene at 5:15 to reconsider the motion Madam Coady put forward. Let's reconvene at 5:15, after the vote, and we'll still have 15 minutes to consider committee business.
We've received your briefs that you've provided. My apologies. This is an unscheduled vote. We'll definitely incorporate those and we can have a discussion at some other point about having you back to answer further questions.
Mr. Masse.
4:10 p.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Do we have enough time to at least get in the last two rounds of questioning? We're close to the Hill. I don't know.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Is it the wish of members to have two more questioners? It's a 30-minute bell.
There are some reservations.
The Standing Orders say that as soon as the bell goes I really have to suspend the meeting.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON
The rule of the House, Mr. Chair, is that the two opposition whips can decide at any time, once the bells are going, to have the vote. I would prefer to be there than not.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Okay.
We'll suspend and we'll reconvene at 5:15.
The meeting is suspended.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
We're coming out of suspension, and we're into the consideration of committee business, in particular, the motion from Madam Coady.
Madam Coady, could you move the motion into the record?
November 23rd, 2009 / 5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
I will read it into the record, sir.
I move that the Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, the Minister of State for Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Quebec, and the Minister of State for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency be invited to appear before the industry, science and technology committee on or before December 2, 2009, to discuss the supplementary estimates of their respective departments.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Siobhan Coady Liberal St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL
Thank you very much, sir.
The government has come to Parliament to seek about $4.9 billion in expenditures that were not included in the main estimates. I think it's our fiduciary responsibility to review these estimates. Advance notice is given specifically to permit committees of the House of Commons sufficient time to scrutinize proposed spending plans prior to the introduction of the appropriation acts. As a component of this review, I believe it is incumbent upon this committee to gather the most accurate information possible concerning the relevant votes so that our study of supplementary estimates may be an informed one.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB
I hate to ruin it. We're saying December 2. That's okay. It's on or before December 2. That's fine.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Seeing no further discussion, I will call the question.
(Motion agreed to)
We will invite the ministers mentioned in the motion. The motion is adopted, so we will invite them, and I am going to suggest that we have a review of the supplementary estimates next Monday, November 30. That is when we'll try to get the ministers to attend. I look forward to having a fulsome discussion.
Thank you very much for tabling that motion.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative